Sites Used

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/cardinal_richlieu.htm http://www.nndb.com/people/894/000092618/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardinal_Richelieu#Bibliography
http://www.answers.com/topic/cardinal-richelieu
http://www.google.com/imageshl=en&source=imghp&biw=1276&bih=629&q=cardinal+richelieu&gbv=2&aq=0&aqi=g6g-m2&aql=&oq=Cardinal+Richel&gs_rfai

My Life

Cardinal Richelieu

Hello, my name is Armand Jean du Plessis de Richelieu, also known as Cardinal Richelieu. Allow me to introduce myself in a more detailed context. I am the third son of Lord of Richelieu born on September 9^th of 1585 in Paris, France. I was a fragile child. I suffered many illness and health issues throughout my childhood. I am born into the lesser nobility of Poitou or what many people would call “middle class”. My older brother, Alphonse, left the life of being a bishop to become a monk. My father,  François du Plessis, seigneur de Richelieu, started out by killing the murderer of my elder brother and then fighting through the wars of religion, alongside with Henri III until his death under Henri IV. He was a soldier and a courtier who served as the Grand Provost of France. My mother, Susanne de La Porte, was a daughter of a famous jurist. Her father François de La Porte was the first advocates of the parliament of Paris.

Cardinal Richelieu

When my father died while assisting at the siege of Paris at July 10^th, 1590, my mother sent me to Paris to study at Collège de Navarre at the age of 9 for philosophy, grammar, and military training along with my brothers but my studies were cut short when both my older brother refused to accept the office of bishop of Luçon. After my father died, our family became enormously in debt which was aided my government funds. Since my brothers rejected the invitation to become a bishop of Henri IV I later went to Collège de Calvi where I began my studies of theology at the age of 17, and in April 1607, I received a papal dispensation and was upheld as a priest and bishop. I voluntarily went for the position.  After I was appointed bishop of Luçon by Henri IV, I became devoted to my Episcopal duties that I worked with for close to 6 years. I had huge ambitions to how far I could go. By 1614, I had achieved a reputation as a great administrator and a good speaker at meetings such as the Estates- General. I soon became known as someone who strongly supports the Roman Catholicism who held Spanish views. I have faith in myself that one day, I would soon reach greatness.

          

My Life at the Royal Courts

Louis XIII

In 1614, the clergymen of Poitou asked me to be one of their Representatives to the States General. There I argued about exempts from taxes and that bishops should gain more political power. I became the most prominent clergyman to support the decrees of the Council of Trent without France. I gained fame, and became prosperous. Soon after, the Estates-General dissolved and I came to service King Louis XIII’s wife, Anne of Austria, as her almoner. Anne’s favorite minister, Concino Concini promoted me and made me Secretary of State and gave me the responsibility for foreign affairs. I was thrilled of my achievements and my position. Then, things at the royal court began to get out of control. The mother of Louis XIII, Marie de Medicis, also known as Regent of France when 9 year old Louis ascended the throne, knew poorly on how to govern therefore proved unpopular with many people in France. Both Marie and Concici became the targets of intrigues at court. In April 1617, in a plot arranged by Luynes, King Louis XIII ordered that Concini be arrested, and killed. Concini was assassinated, and Marie de Médicis was exiled. Since my patron I also lost my power and position at the royal courts. In 1618, the King, still suspicious of me, banished me to Avignon. There, I spent most of his time writing where I spent on composing a catechism entitled L'Instruction du chretien. Even though I don’t hold any high position, I am still happy with my current status.

Called Back to the Royal Court?



Marie de Medicis



I was called back by the king and the duc de Luynes where informed me that in 1619, Marie de Medicis escaped from her confinement in the Chateau de Blois. I was shocked. They believed that I would be able to reason with the Queen. With success, I did. I soon became the go-between with the mother and her son. When the Treaty of Augouleme was passed, Marie de Medicis was given complete freedom but only remain at peace with the king. Not only that, the queen was also restored to the royal council. The death of the king’s favorite, the duc de Luynes in 1621, begins the incline of my power rather quickly. The year after that I became nominated as a cardinalate in April 19, 1622 granted by Pope Gregory. I began to get involved with France crises such as the rebellion of the Huguenots. One again I rose in position and became a member of the royal council of ministers in April 1634. I intrigued against Charles, duc de La Vieuville and in August the same year, I got him arrested for charges of corruption. Now, I became the king’s principal minister. I truly believe that the arrest against Charles was necessary. It is not that I want to take his position, it is just that I believe that people like Charles holding such an high position without doing anything to benefit the state or the people should not even have the chance to govern.

War



Thirty Year's War



A war has been going on. I am not sure how long it has been happening, or how long it will last, but it is certainly very devastating. This war has been going on long before I came to power. During the war, I have refused to make peace with Spain even though the French ambassadors in Regensburg agreed. This is a treaty that would prohibit French interference in Germany. I believed this is unnecessary. I have advised Louis XIII to refuse to passing of the treaty and in 1631, I allied France with Sweden, who had just invaded the empire in the Treaty of Barwalde. To help with the military expenses, I raised the gabelle and taille. Each taxed items has its difference uses. Taille is used to provide funds to raise armies and wage war. I know this was unfair to many of the peasants, but by raising taxes, it helps provide for the army for protection for their country. Many revolts sprung during the time of taxation, but I have crushed each and every individual one, rather harshly and violently. This will be able to give them a lesson to not interfere with what is best for them. Under my command, I was able to defeat the Habsburg forces at the Battle of Lens. Even though I am proud of myself for the victory that I have won, I am still unable with the denunciation of people calling me a traitor to the Roman Catholic Church. I believe that my actions are the choice that would benefit them the most.

Last Years



Cardinal Richelieu



Today is the 4^th of December of 1642. I feel quite ill and the thought of death keeps appearing in my mind. I am afraid that not much time in this world is left for me. I fell ill on November 1642. For many years I have suffered fevers, maybe malaria, strangury, intestinal tuberculosis with fistula, and migraine. My right arm was suppurating with tubercular osteits and I could not help but cough blood. Before I fell ill, I have alienated with many people including Pope Urban VIII but was displeased at him for his refusal to name me the papal legate in France but I forgave him when he granted Jules Mazarin, my best friend at the time, cardinalate. The others must have known I have became quite weak when a young man, Henri Coiffier de Ruze, marqueis de Cinq-Mars was introduced to Louis XIII’s court. Since I have been good friends with Cinq-Mars’s father I thought that his son would be able to control and I would have more power over the monarchy but I was wrong. He, on the contrast, was very difficult to control. Matter of fact, he plotted a scheme with leading nobles to raise a rebellion. They even signed a secret agreement with the king of Spain. Fortunately, I was able to discover the plot and got him arrested and executed. Comparing to now with before, I am practically dying. This pain is too much to bare, I hope I would go to sleep peacefully soon.