[Gutenberg 3846] • Memoirs of Jean François Paul de Gondi, Cardinal de Retz — Complete

An Excerpt from the book-

Our Author, John Francis Paul de Gondi, Cardinal de Retz, Sovereign of

Commercy, Prince of Euville, second Archbishop of Paris, Abbot of Saint

Denis in France, was born at Montmirail, in Brie, in October, 1614.

His father was Philippe Emanuel de Gondi, Comte, de Joigni, General of

the Galleys of France and Knight of the King's Orders; and his mother was

Frances Marguerite, daughter of the Comte de Rochepot, Knight of the

King's Orders, and of Marie de Lannoy, sovereign of Commercy and Euville.

Pierre de Gondi, Duc de Retz, was his brother, whose daughter was the

Duchesse de Lesdiguieres.

His grandfather was Albert de Gondi, Duc de Retz, Marquis de Belle Isle,

a Peer of France, Marshal and General of the Galleys, Colonel of the

French Horse, First Gentleman of the Bedchamber, and Great Chamberlain to

the Kings Charles IX. and Henri III.

This history was first printed in Paris in 1705, at the expense of the

Duchesse de Lesdiguieres, the last of this noble family, whose estate

fell after her decease to that of Villeroy.

His preceptor was the famous Vincent de Paul, Almoner to Queen Anne of

Austria.

In 1627 he was made a Canon of the Cathedral of Paris by his uncle, Jean

Francois de Gondi, first archbishop of that city, and was not long after

created a Doctor of the Sorbonne.

In 1643 he was appointed Coadjutor of the archbishopric of Paris, with

the title of Archbishop of Corinth, during which, such was his pastoral

vigilance that the most important affairs of the Church were committed to

his care.