Turenne: Marshal General of France, Part II
‘We shall never see his equal in any age’, wrote Madame de Sévigné of this simple and heroic soldier. By Aram Bakshian Jr.
When, in April of 1660, Turenne joined the Royal court at Montpellier, he was elevated to the post of Marshal General of the Camps and Armies of the King, a position that gave him theoretical seniority over all other French officers.
There is evidence that, if he had then agreed to turn Catholic, an even higher office would have been given him, that of Constable of France, roughly equivalent to an English Captain-Generalcy for life, the position the Duke of Marlborough would seek in vain at the height of his prestige.
What Marlborough failed to achieve in England, despite all his influence and lobbying, Turenne voluntarily declined on principle in France. ‘The King told me that it lay with me alone whether there should be something more,’ he wrote his wife, who was an even stauncher Calvinist than he.
In fact, Turenne was already beginning to feel a few doubts about his Protestantism, but was determined not to yield it for any self-serving motive.
To continue reading this article you need to purchase a subscription, available from only £5.
Start my trial subscription now
If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.
Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.