.

[336] Saint-Edme, vol. ii. pp. 237, 238.

[337] Sully, _Mem_. vol. vi. p. 233.

[338] Eleonora de Medicis, wife of Vincent I, Duke of Mantua, and sister
to the French Queen.

[339] Bassompierre, _Mem_. p. 50.

[340] Ippolito Aldobrandini, subsequently Pope Clement VIII, was born at
Fano. He was created a cardinal in 1585, and in 1592 succeeded Innocent
IX. He reconciled Henri IV to the Church of Rome, attached the duchy of
Ferrara to the Holy See, organized the famous congregations _de
auxiliis_ on grace and free-will, and contributed to the Peace of
Vervins. He died in 1605.

[341] Alessandro de Medicis, who succeeded Clement VIII in 1605, and
died the same year.

[342] Claude de la Chatre, Marshal of France, was the son of Claude de
la Chatre, Baron de Nancy, Besigny, and Baune de la Maisonfort. He was
created Knight of St. Michael and of the Holy Ghost by Henri III in
1588, and was Governor of Berry and Orleans. He distinguished himself in
several engagements; and his own valour, combined with the protection of
the Connetable de Montmorency, of whom he had been a page in his youth,
rapidly acquired for him both fortune and renown. After the death of
Henri III, M. de la Chatre embraced the cause of the League, when the
Duc de Mayenne, at the solicitation of M. de Guise, created him Marshal
of France, in which character he assisted at what were called by the
Leaguers the States of Paris.

[343] Francois de la Grange, Seigneur de Montigny and de Sery, was a
member of the Court of Henri III, and was one of his _mignons_. He was,
under that monarch, successively gentleman of the bedchamber, captain of
the palace-guard, head-steward of the household, and Governor of Berry,
Blois, etc. He acquired great distinction by his bravery at the battle
of Coutras, and at the sieges of Aubigny, Rouen, and Fontaine-Francaise,
and was admitted a knight of the King's Orders the same year (1595).
Finally, in 1616, he was created Marshal of France.

[344] Nicolas du Plessis, Comte de Liancourt, Comte de Beaumont, first
equerry to the King, and Governor of Paris. He married Antoinette de
Pons, Marquise de Guercheville, the widow of Henri de Silly, Comte de la
Rocheguyon, a lady of extraordinary beauty who had been reared in the
Court of Henri III.

[345] Guillaume de Hautemer, Comte de Grancy, Seigneur de Fervaques,
knight of the King's Orders, and Marshal of France.

[346] Urbain de Laval, Marquis de Bois-Dauphin, Comte d