Claude de Bullion | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 13 October 1569 |
| Died | 22 December 1640(1640-12-22) (aged 71) Paris |
| Occupation | Politician |
Claude de Bullion (13 October 1569 – 22 December 1640) was a French aristocrat and politician who served as a Minister of Finance underLouis XIII from 1632 to 1640.[1] He was a close ally ofCardinal Richelieu.[2]
He became a lawyer at theParlement of Paris in 1594 and an advisor in 1595. In 1605, he becameMaître des Requêtes, and in 1606 he joined theParliament of Grenoble as State Councillor and Chairman.
In 1611 he bought the lordship of Bolt and later bought the lordship ofMaule. In 1612, Seigneur de Bonnelles named him special ambassador to theCourt of Turin. He boughtChâteau de Wideville in 1620 and built the famous gardens and ponds there. His holdings became known asBullion in 1621. He also possessed the lordships of Fervaques, Gallardon of Montlouet, Atilly, and Longchesne. In 1639, he bought Château d'Esclimont, and his was known as creator ofLouis d'Or. He later built a hotel in Paris that contained two galleries.
In 1632 he became Minister of Finance underLouis XIII, concurrently withClaude Bouthillier. de Bullion was also named Lord Chancellor ofThe Order of the Holy Spirit from 1633 to 1636.
He was married toAngélique Faure in 1612. Their sonNoël de Bullion succeeded his father as Lord Chancellor of The Order of the Holy Spirit. He died suddenly in Paris in 1640, leaving his wife to control his huge fortune.[3] He was buried at night due to his unpopularity as Finance Minister. His tomb was destroyed during theFrench Revolution.
