Jean Armand de Maillé-Brézé
Encyclopedia
Jean Armand de Maillé-Brézé (18 October 1619 – 14 June 1646) was a French
admiral
.
He was born in Milly-le-Meugon
, in one of the most powerful French families of the time; his father was Urbain de Maillé-Brézé
, marquis de Brézé, Marshal of France
, his uncle Cardinal Richelieu, King Louis XIII's renowned minister, and his brother-in-law, Louis II de Bourbon, Prince de Condé
, (better known as the le Grand Condé), was the First Prince of the Blood.
Thanks to his uncle, at the age of seventeen, he received the title of grand-maître de la navigation (grand-master of the navigation), a new title created by King Louis XIII for Cardinal Richelieu and equivalent to Grand Admiral of France
.
One of the leading figures in the Eighty Years' War, he defeated the Spanish fleet
near Cadiz
(20 July 1640), and then seized Villafranca
. In 1642, he fought an indecisive action
against the Spanish forces near Barcelona
, and nearly completely destroyed their fleet near Cartagena
on 3 July 1643. He was killed on 16 June 1646, during the Battle of Orbetello, where his fleet was defeated.
His remains were buried in the church of Milly le Meugon, abutted to the castle walls.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
.
He was born in Milly-le-Meugon
Milly-le-Meugon
Milly-le-Meugon is a village now attached to the city of Gennes, Maine-et-Loire department, France. It is also the site of a castle, which also belonged to the Maillé-Brézé family, a notable family of the French nobility with close ties to King Louis XIII's powerful minister, the Cardinal...
, in one of the most powerful French families of the time; his father was Urbain de Maillé-Brézé
Urbain de Maillé-Brézé
Urbain de Maillé-Brézé , was a Marshal of France during the Thirty Years' War and Franco-Spanish War .- Biography :...
, marquis de Brézé, Marshal of France
Marshal of France
The Marshal of France is a military distinction in contemporary France, not a military rank. It is granted to generals for exceptional achievements...
, his uncle Cardinal Richelieu, King Louis XIII's renowned minister, and his brother-in-law, Louis II de Bourbon, Prince de Condé
Louis II de Bourbon, Prince de Condé
Louis de Bourbon, Prince of Condé was a French general and the most famous representative of the Condé branch of the House of Bourbon. Prior to his father's death in 1646, he was styled the Duc d'Enghien...
, (better known as the le Grand Condé), was the First Prince of the Blood.
Thanks to his uncle, at the age of seventeen, he received the title of grand-maître de la navigation (grand-master of the navigation), a new title created by King Louis XIII for Cardinal Richelieu and equivalent to Grand Admiral of France
Admiral of France
The title Admiral of France is one of the Great Officers of the Crown of France, the naval equivalent of Marshal of France.The title was created in 1270 by Louis IX of France, during the Eighth Crusade. At the time it was equivalent to the office of Constable of France. The Admiral was responsible...
.
One of the leading figures in the Eighty Years' War, he defeated the Spanish fleet
Battle of Cádiz (1640)
The Battle of Cádiz was a naval battle in the Franco-Spanish War , which took place on July 21, 1640 , when a French squadron under Jean Armand de Maillé-Brézé attacked and defeated a Spanish convoy coming from the Americas....
near Cadiz
Cádiz
Cadiz is a city and port in southwestern Spain. It is the capital of the homonymous province, one of eight which make up the autonomous community of Andalusia....
(20 July 1640), and then seized Villafranca
Villafranca
Villafranca is a town and municipality located in the province and the autonomous community of Navarre, northern Spain.-External links:*...
. In 1642, he fought an indecisive action
Battle of Barcelona
Battle of Barcelona may refer to* Battle of Barcelona, a naval battle during the French-Spanish War in 1642.* A battle taking place in 1704.* A nickname for the riots following the 1972 European Cup Winners Cup....
against the Spanish forces near Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
, and nearly completely destroyed their fleet near Cartagena
Cartagena, Spain
Cartagena is a Spanish city and a major naval station located in the Region of Murcia, by the Mediterranean coast, south-eastern Spain. As of January 2011, it has a population of 218,210 inhabitants being the Region’s second largest municipality and the country’s 6th non-Province capital...
on 3 July 1643. He was killed on 16 June 1646, during the Battle of Orbetello, where his fleet was defeated.
His remains were buried in the church of Milly le Meugon, abutted to the castle walls.
Honours
Three ships were named in his honor: see French ship Maillé BrézéFrench ship Maillé Brézé
Three ships of the French Navy have born the name Brézé or Maillé Brézé in honour of admiral Jean Armand de Maillé-Brézé:* 46-gun ship of the line Brézé...
Sources
, vol. 26- La Bruyère, René, La marine de Richelieu; Maillé-Brézé, général des galères, grand amiral (1619-1646), Plon, Paris, 1945, 245 pages.