Hugues de Lionne

Hugues de Lionne (October 11, 1611?September 1, 1671) was a French statesman.

Related Topics:
October 11 - 1611 - September 1 - 1671 - French

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He was born in Grenoble, of an old family of Dauphiné. Early trained for diplomacy, his remarkable abilities attracted the notice of Cardinal Mazarin, who sent him as secretary of the French embassy to the congress of Munster, and, in 1642, on a mission to the pope.

Related Topics:
Grenoble - Dauphiné - Diplomacy - Cardinal Mazarin - Congress of Munster - 1642 - Pope

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In 1646 he became secretary to the queen regent Anne of Austria; in 1653 obtained high office in the kings household; and in 1654 was ambassador extraordinary at the election of Pope Alexander VII. He was instrumental in forming the league of the Rhine, by which Austria was cut off from the Spanish Netherlands, and, as minister of state, was associated with Mazarin in the Treaty of the Pyrenees (1659), which secured the marriage of Louis XIV to the infanta Maria Theresa of Spain.

Related Topics:
1646 - Regent - Anne of Austria - 1653 - 1654 - Pope Alexander VII - League of the Rhine - Austria - Spanish Netherlands - Treaty of the Pyrenees - 1659 - Louis XIV - Maria Theresa of Spain

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At the cardinals dying request he was appointed his successor in foreign affairs, a position he held from April 3, 1663 to September 1, 1671. Among his most important diplomatic successes were the Treaty of Breda (1667), the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1668) and the sale of Dunkirk.

Related Topics:
Successor in foreign affairs - April 3 - 1663 - September 1 - 1671 - Treaty of Breda - 1667 - Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle - 1668 - Dunkirk

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He died in Paris in 1671, leaving memoirs.

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He was a man of pleasure, but his natural indolence gave place to an unflagging energy when the occasion demanded it; and, in an age of great ministers, his consummate statesmanship placed him in the front rank.

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