Cardinal Richelieu was born in Paris on September 5, 1585.His father was one of the closest associates of King Henry III, the chief judge of France, Francois du Plessis.In nine years, the boy was sent to the College of Navarre, later he studied at a high school in Paris.In 1606-m the future Cardinal Richelieu received his first post after being appointed bishop Lyusonskim.A few years young priest lived in Poitiers, where his diocese.However, after the death of King Henry IV, the young man returned to Paris to join one of the political currents, which he sympathized.This happened in 1610.
Beginning his political career
He soon struck up new acquaintances in the capital, in no small measure contributed to its further rise.An important event was the meeting with the young bishop Concino Concini - a favorite of the widowed Queen Marie de Medici.Italian praised the flexibility of mind and education Richelieu, becoming his protégé and was invited to join the so-called "Spanish" party.Very soon, Richelieu has become one of the most important advisors regent.
Participation in palace intrigues and link
In 1615 in France, there is an important event: the young King Louis XIII marry a Spanish princess Anne of Austria.Richelieu becomes confessor newfound queen.A year later, his hands are virtually all the international affairs of the French crown.In 1617 matured the king decides to get rid of Concino Concini.With this task to the latter were sent assassins.Richelieu through its own agents received the news of the impending event in advance.But instead of trying to prevent the murder of the young schemer made the classic bet: Change a patron rather more powerful.However, the calculation was incorrect.Appearing in the morning to the court of the King of congratulations, instead of the expected greeting, he got a cold reception and has actually been expelled from the yard for years to seven years.At first it was removed in Blois with Maria de 'Medici (the mother of the young king), and later in Luzon.
brilliant years of the French cardinal
In 1622, Richelieu was devoted to the new church san: now he's Catholic Cardinal.A return to the palace was already in 1624.It was promoted reconciliation with the mother of Louis XIII.At the same time, Cardinal Richelieu becomes virtually the first minister of the king.This was due to sharpen the intrigues within the state, which threatened France, and in particular, the Bourbons, the loss of its sovereignty in the face of the Austrian and Spanish Habsburgs.King was just need an experienced person in these matters, who will be able to normalize the situation in the highest circles of the aristocracy.It was the Cardinal Richelieu.The following years were truly brilliant for the first minister of France.The basis of its program has always been a strengthening of absolutism and the monarchy in the country.And he created this very productive through their actions: the rebellious lords were executed, destroyed their castles, among the aristocrats were banned duels, destroyed Huguenot movement is limited by the Magdeburg city rights.Cardinal actively supported the Protestant princes of Germany, who opposed the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire of the German people, and thereby weaken his position.In the second half of the thirties as a result of the war with Spain in the French returned to Lorraine and Alsace.Cardinal Richelieu died in December 1642 in the capital.
Heritage French Minister
Considerable trail he left not only in the political history of Europe, but also in the world of art.Repeatedly appeared in feature films representing France at the time, Cardinal Richelieu.Photo and portraits of him have become one of the most recognizable in the galaxy of Europe's most important figures in modern times.
