François Michel Le Tellier | |
|---|---|
 | |
| First Minister of State | |
| In office 7 September 1683 – 16 July 1691 | |
| Monarch | Louis XIV |
| Preceded by | Jean-Baptiste Colbert |
| Succeeded by | Vacant(1691–1715) Guillaume Dubois |
| Secretary of State of the Maison du Roi | |
| In office 6 September 1683 – 16 July 1691 | |
| Monarch | Louis XIV |
| Preceded by | Jean-Baptiste Colbert |
| Succeeded by | Édouard Colbert de Villacerf |
| Secretary of State for War | |
| In office 24 February 1662 – 16 July 1691 | |
| Monarch | Louis XIV |
| Preceded by | Michel Le Tellier |
| Succeeded by | Louis François Marie Le Tellier |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1641-01-18)18 January 1641 |
| Died | 16 July 1691(1691-07-16) (aged 50) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | Michel-François Madeleine Charlotte Louis-Nicolas Louis François Camille Marguerite |
| Parent(s) | Michel Le Tellier Élisabeth Turpin |
| Signature |  |
François Michel Le Tellier, Marquis de Louvois (French pronunciation:[fʁɑ̃swamiʃɛltɛljemaʁkidəluvwa]; 18 January 1641 – 16 July 1691) was the FrenchSecretary of State for War during a significant part of the reign ofLouis XIV. He is commonly referred to as "Louvois". Together with his father,Michel le Tellier, he oversaw an increase in the numbers of theFrench Army, eventually reaching 340,000 soldiers[1] – an army that would fight four wars between 1667 and 1713. Louvois was a key military and strategic advisor to Louis XIV, who transformed the French Army into an instrument of royal authority and foreign policy.
According to Cathal Nolan, he created theRégiment du Roi in 1663 and founded the Royal-Artillerie regiment in 1673. These innovations influenced military planners beyond France. Louvois sought out new wars as a means of concentrating more power and wealth in his own hands. He reorganized the French Army and exercised strict control over officers, but that resulted in slower tactical and operational response times. He had more success upgrading logistics for armies on the move and also improved the magazine system left by his father and introduced portable ovens to bake bread during halt days. He accumulated enough grain and wagons to provide his armies with 200,000 rations per day for up to six months during the Dutch War (1672-1678). This helped ensure the French king's early victories. Despite his flaws, Louvois is appreciated by historians for creating the role of civilian "minister of war".[2]
Louvois was born inParis on 18 January 1641, toMichel Le Tellier and Élisabeth Turpin.[3] He received instructions from his father in the management of state affairs. The young man won the king's confidence, and in 1666 he succeeded his father as war minister.[4]
His talents were noticed byTurenne in theWar of Devolution (1667–1668), who gave him instruction in the art of supplying armies. After the peace ofAix-la-Chapelle, Louvois devoted himself to organising the French army. The years between 1668 and 1672, says Camille Rousset, "were years of preparation, whenLionne was labouring with all his might to find allies,Colbert to find money, and Louvois soldiers for Louis".[4]
TheMan in the Iron Mask, whose name was given as Eustache Dauger, was first mentioned in a letter written by Louvois, dated 19 July 1669.[5]
The work of Louvois in these years is bound up with the historical development of the French army and of armies in general. Here need only be mentioned Louvois's reorganization of the military orders of merit, his foundation of theHôtel des Invalides, and the almost forcible enrollment of the nobility and gentry of France, in which Louvois carried out part of Louis's measures for curbing the spirit of independence by service in the army or at court.[4]
The success of his measures is to be seen in the victories of theFranco-Dutch War of 1672–1678. After thePeace of Nijmegen Louvois was high in favour, his father had been made chancellor, and the influence of Colbert was waning. The ten years of peace between 1678 and 1688 were distinguished in French history by the rise ofMadame de Maintenon, the capture ofStrasbourg and the revocation of theEdict of Nantes, in all of which Louvois bore a prominent part. The surprise of Strasbourg in 1681 in time of peace was not only planned but executed by Louvois and Monclar. A saving clause in the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, which provided for some liberty of conscience, if not of worship, Louvois sharply annulled with the phrase "Sa majesté veut qu'on fasse sentir les dernières rigueurs a ceux qui ne voudront pas se faire de sa religion" ("His Majesty wishes the worst harshness on those who do not partake of his religion").[4]
He claimed also the credit of inventing thedragonnades, and mitigated the depredations of the soldiery only insofar as the licence accorded was prejudicial to discipline. Discipline, indeed, and complete subjection to the royal authority was the political faith of Louvois.[4]
Colbert died in 1683 and had been replaced by Le Pelletier, an adherent of Louvois, in the controller-generalship of finances, and by Louvois himself in his ministry for public buildings, which he took that he might be the minister able to gratify the king's two favourite pastimes, war and building. Louvois was able to superintend the successes of the first years of the war of theLeague of Augsburg[4] and in 1688 initiated the collection ofPlans-Reliefs of French strongholds that is now theMusée des Plans-Reliefs. However, he died suddenly ofapoplexy after leaving the king's cabinet on 16 July 1691, butVoltaire claims in "Le Siecle de Louis XIV" that Louvois died while he was taking waters inBalaruc.[citation needed] His sudden death caused suspicion ofpoison.[4]
As theSecretary of State for War underLouis XIV, Louvois strengthened theFrench military: he expanded the French Army to 340,000soldiers,[1] created influentialregiments, and enhancedmilitary logistics, such as introducing portable ovens and improving the magazine system. Louvois also founded theHôtel des Invalides and reorganized military orders of merit.[4]French history often compares him toCarnot, as both had to reorganize armies using existing resources and new systems, and both were committed to the well-being of soldiers. Despite his unscrupulous methods in his own private life and his work, including harsh measures againstHuguenots, Louvois is credited with establishing the role of the civilian "minister of war," leaving a lasting impact on military administration in France.[4]
Louvois, through a marriage arranged by his father, wed an heiress, Anne de Souvré, Marquise de Courtenvaux.[4]
He had six children with Anne:[citation needed]
Attribution
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Louvois, François Michel Le Tellier, Marquis de".Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 17 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 69. Endnotes:| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Secretary of State for War 1666–1691 | Succeeded by |
