Godefroy Maurice de La Tour d'Auvergne, Duke of Bouillon
A French duke whose strategic marriage into Cardinal Mazarin's family cemented his family's power during the Sun King's reign.
1636–1721 (age 85)·Duke of Bouillon·Birthday: June 21
Biography
Born into the formidable La Tour d'Auvergne dynasty, Godefroy Maurice navigated the perilous currents of Louis XIV's court. His life was defined by a single, brilliant alliance: his marriage to Marie Anne Mancini, a niece of the all-powerful minister Cardinal Mazarin. This union wasn't merely romantic; it was a masterstroke of political engineering that fused old aristocratic blood with new ministerial influence, securing the Bouillon family's fortune and status for a generation. As Duke of Bouillon, he presided over the sovereign principality of Sedan, a rare feudal holdout within an increasingly centralized France. His long life, spanning from 1636 to 1721, saw him transition from a courtier in a turbulent regency to a settled grandee in the absolute monarchy, leaving behind a lineage that would remain prominent in European affairs.
#1 When Godefroy Was Born
The biggest hits of 1636
Godefroy's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1636Born
1641Started school
1649Became a teenager
1652Could drive
1654Could vote
1657Turned 21
1666Turned 30
1676Turned 40
1686Turned 50
1696Turned 60
1706Turned 70
1716Turned 80
1721Died at 85
Key Achievements
- Secured the Bouillon family's political future by marrying Marie Anne Mancini, Cardinal Mazarin's niece.
- Served as the sovereign Duke of Bouillon and Prince of the independent territory of Sedan.
- Fathered seven children, ensuring the continuation of the influential La Tour d'Auvergne line.
Did You Know?
His wife, Marie Anne Mancini, was one of the famous 'Mazarinettes', the cardinal's nieces who were central figures in 17th-century French society.
The Duchy of Bouillon was a sovereign state, not officially part of France until the French Revolution.
He lived through the entirety of Louis XIV's personal rule, from 1661 to 1715.
“A title is a shield, but a marriage at court is the sword that defends it.”
