Constable Of France

The Constable of France (Fr connetable de France) as the First Officer of the Crown was one of the Great officers of the crown and Commander in Chief of the Army. He, theoretically, outranked all the nobles and was Second in Command only to the King. He also served to regulate the Chivalry. The office was established by King Philip I in 1060 with Alberic becoming the first Constable of France. The office was abolished in 1626 by Cardinal Richelieu, upon the death of Francois de Bonne, duc de Les diguieres, upon his death after his conversion from Catholicism to Protestantism in 1622. A few died in battle or were executed for treason, mostly for political intrigue.

Badge of Office

The badge of office was a highly elaborate sword called the "Royal Sword" (fr de charlemagne) surnamed "Joyous". This sword dated from the 1300's and was contained in a blue scabbard embellished with fleur-de-lis in column from hilt to point.

Persons Subordinate to the Constable of France

  • Admiral of France (amiral de France) - Commander of the French Navy.
  • Marshals of France (Marcheaux de France) x2
    • Lieutenantgeneral - an occasional appointment when the King wishes for a regional commander.
  • PortOriFlamme - a very prestigious position which carries the royal banner in battle.
  • Grand Master of Archers (Gran Maitre de Arbalestries - commander of the archers)
  • Grand Master of the Artillery (Gran Maitre de l'artillerie)
  • Lieutenantgeneral of the Realm - Occassionally appointed and served as a pseudo-viceroy to oversee royal business in a region and served directly under the King.

Constables of France

Capetian Dynasty (987-1328)

  • Alberic 1060 to 1065
  • Balberic 1065 to 1069
  • Gauthier 1069 to 1071
  • Adelelme 1071- 1075
  • Adam 1075 - 1085
  • Thibaut, Seigneur de Montmorency 1085 - 1107
  • Gaston de Chanmont 1107 - 1108
  • Hugues le Borgne de Chanmont 1108 - 1135
  • Mathieu de Montmorency (d1160) 1138-?
  • Simon de Neauphle-le-Chateau 1165-?
  • Raoul de Clermont (d1191)1174-1194
  • Dreux IV de Mello (b1148-d1218) 1194-1218
  • Mathieu I LeGrand Baron de Montmorency (d1230) 1218-1231
  • Amaury VI de Montfort (d1249) 1231-1240
  • Humbert V de Beaujeu (d1250) 1240-1248
  • Gilles II de Trasignies (d1275) 1248-1277
  • Humbert II de Beaujeu (d1285) 1277
  • Raoul II de Clermin (d1302) 1277-1307
  • Gaucher de Chatillon 1249-1329) 1307-1329

Valois Dynasty (1328-1589)

Main Branch

  • Raoul Ier(premier) de Brienne (d1344) 1329-1344
  • Raoul II de Brienne, Comte d'Eu (executed 1351) 1344-1350
  • Charles de Castille d'Espagne (d1354) 1350-1354
  • Jacques Ier(premier) de Bourbon (b1319-d1362) 1354-1356
  • Gauthier VI de Brienne (killed 1356) 1356
  • Robert Morean de Fiennes (b1308-d1372) 1356-1370
  • Bertrand du Guesclin (b1320-d1380)1370-1380
  • Olivier IV de Clisson (b1336-d1407)1380-1392
  • Philippe d'Artois (b1358-d1397)1392-1397
  • Louis de Sancerre (b1341-d1402) 1397-1402
  • Charles Ier(premier) d'Albert (d1415) 1402-1411
  • Valeran III de Luxembourg (d1413)1411-1413
  • Charles Ier(premier) d'Albert (Killed at Battle of Agincourt 25 Oct 1415) 1413-1415
  • Bernard VII d'Armagnac (d1418) 1418
  • Charles le Hardi de Lorraine (b1365-d1431) 1418-1425
  • Arthur III duc de Bretagne (b1393-1458) 1425-?
  • John Talbot, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury (d1453) 1445 - ?
  • Louis de Luxembourg (b1418-1475) 1465-?

Valois-Orleans

Valois-Angouleme

Bourbon (1589-1792)

Empire

Allegedly the Bourbon family, through the Comte d'Artois, offered Napolean Bonaparte as First Consul, Constable of France if he would restore the Bourbons as kings of France. See Also: Constable Lord High Constable

 

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