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{{Short description|Flemish statesman and diplomat}}
{{nofootnotes|date=April 2011}}
{{More footnotes|date=April 2011}}
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[[Image:The_Somerset_House_Conference_19_August_1604.jpg|thumb|400px|The [[Somerset House Conference]] of 1604, ascribed to [[Juan Pantoja de la Cruz]]. Jean Richardot is seated second on the left.]]'''Jean Grusset dict Richardot''', knight (1540 - 3 September 1609) was a [[statesman]] and [[diplomat]] from the [[Franche-Comté]], who held high political office during the [[Dutch Revolt]] and played an important role in restoring Habsburg rule in the [[Southern Netherlands]].
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix =
| name = Jean Richardot
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| honorific-suffix =
| image = Jean_Richardot.jpg
| image_size =
| smallimage = <!--If this is specified, "image" should not be.-->
| alt =
| caption =
| order =
| office = President of the Privy Council of the Habsburg Netherlands
| term_start = 1597
| term_end = 1609
| monarch = Archdukes [[Albert VII, Archduke of Austria|Albert]] and [[Isabella Clara Eugenia|Isabella]]
| governor_general =
| deputy =
| lieutenant =
| predecessor =
| successor = [[Engelbert Maes]]
| birth_name = Jean Grusset
| birth_date = 1540 <!-- {{Birth date|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| birth_place = [[Champlitte]], [[Franche-Comté]]
| death_date = 3 September 1609 <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} (death date then birth date) -->
| death_place = [[Arras]]
| restingplace = [[Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula|Church of St Gudula]], Brussels
| restingplacecoordinates =
| citizenship =
| nationality =
| spouse = Anne Courcol de Baillencourt
| relations = [[François Richardot]] (maternal uncle)
| children =
| parents = Guillaume Grusset and Marguerite Richardot
| residence =
| education = [[Civil law (legal system)|civil law]]
| alma_mater = [[Old University of Leuven|Leuven University]]
| occupation =
| profession =
| cabinet =
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| website =
<!--Embedded templates / Footnotes-->
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⚫
'''Jean Grusset dict Richardot''', knight (1540 &ndash; 3 September 1609) was a [[politician|statesman]] and [[diplomat]] from the [[Franche-Comté]], who held high political office during the [[Dutch Revolt]] and played an important role in restoring Habsburg rule in the [[Southern Netherlands]].


==Early life and career==
==Early life and career==
Jean Richardot belonged to the network of families from the Franche-Comté that rose to important posts in the administration of the [[Habsburg Netherlands]] under the patronage of [[Antoine Perrenot de Granvelle]]. He was born in [[Champlitte]] in 1540 as the son of Guillaume Grusset and Marguerite Richardot. His uncle on his mother's side was [[François Richardot]], the confessor of [[Margaret of Parma]], a close collaborator of Granvelle and his successor as [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Arras|bishop of Arras]]. François Richardot supervised his nephew's education and furthered his first steps in the Habsburg administration. Whether out of gratitude or calculation, Jean Grusset subsequently adopted his uncle's surname. After his humanities at the Collège Granvelle in [[Besançon]], Jean studied law at the universities of [[Old University of Leuven|Leuven]], where he established strong ties with one of his professors, [[Petrus Peckius the Elder|Peter Peckius]]. He continued his studies in [[Sapienza University of Rome|Rome]] and [[University of Padua|Padua]] and obtained his doctorate in law from the [[University of Bologna]].
Jean Richardot belonged to the network of families from the Franche-Comté that rose to important posts in the administration of the [[Habsburg Netherlands]] under the patronage of [[Antoine Perrenot de Granvelle]]. He was born in [[Champlitte]] in 1540 as the son of Guillaume Grusset and Marguerite Richardot. His uncle on his mother's side was [[François Richardot]], the confessor of [[Margaret of Parma]], a close collaborator of Granvelle and his successor as [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Arras|bishop of Arras]]. François Richardot supervised his nephew's education and furthered his first steps in the Habsburg administration. Whether out of gratitude or calculation, Jean Grusset subsequently adopted his uncle's surname. After his humanities at the Collège Granvelle in [[Besançon]], Jean studied law at the universities of [[Old University of Leuven|Leuven]], where he established strong ties with one of his professors, [[Petrus Peckius the Elder|Peter Peckius]]. He continued his studies in [[Sapienza University of Rome|Rome]] and [[University of Padua|Padua]] and obtained his doctorate in law from the [[University of Bologna]].<ref name="leiden.edu">{{cite web|url=https://dutchrevolt.leiden.edu/dutch/personen/R/Pages/richardotjean.aspx|title=Richardotjean|website=Dutchrevolt.leiden.edu|access-date=16 February 2019}}</ref>


Thanks to the patronage of Granvelle, [[Philip II of Spain|Philip II]] appointed Richardot councillor in the [[Great Council of Mechelen]] in 1568. Seven years later he was promoted to the Privy Council, one of the three Collateral Councils that advised the [[List of Governors of the Habsburg Netherlands|Governor-General]] of the Habsburg Netherlands, a post that was at the time held by Don [[Luis de Requesens y Zúñiga]]. In the confusion that followed the death of Requesens, Richardot sided with the [[Dutch Revolt]] and its leader [[William the Silent]]. The move earned him an appointment to the Privy Council of the rebels' Governor-General [[Matthias, Holy Roman Emperor|Archduke Matthias]]. In that capacity he was sent to [[Arras, France|Arras]] to use his local connections to dissuade the States of [[County of Artois|Artois]] from joining the [[Union of Arras]].
Thanks to the patronage of Granvelle, [[Philip II of Spain|Philip II]] appointed Richardot councillor in the [[Great Council of Mechelen]] in 1568. Seven years later he was promoted to the [[Privy Council of the Habsburg Netherlands]], one of the three Collateral Councils that advised the [[List of Governors of the Habsburg Netherlands|Governor-General]] of the Habsburg Netherlands, a post that was at the time held by Don [[Luis de Requesens y Zúñiga]]. In the confusion that followed the death of Requesens, Richardot sided with the [[Dutch Revolt]] and its leader [[William the Silent]]. The move earned him an appointment to the Privy Council of the rebels' Governor-General [[Matthias, Holy Roman Emperor|Archduke Matthias]]. In that capacity he was sent to [[Arras, France|Arras]] to use his local connections to dissuade the States of [[County of Artois|Artois]] from joining the [[Union of Arras]].


==Rise to power under Farnese==
==Rise to power under Farnese==
Richardot would soon follow the example of the States of Artois, Hainaut and Lille, Douai and Orchies and reconcile with the new Governor-General, [[Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma|Alexander Farnese]]. Farnese was quick to recognize Richardot's talents, confirmed his membership of the Privy Council in 1580 and saw to his appointment as president of the Council of Artois in 1581. One of his first achievements was persuading the States of Artois to accept the return of Spanish units from the [[Army of Flanders]]. Soon thereafter Richardot was knighted by Philip II. On 26 February 1583, he was appointed councillor of the Council of State, the highest of the Collateral Councils and as such in charge of advising on matters of state. Farnese employed Richardot in many of the negotiations that secured the reconciliation of towns in [[County of Flanders|Flanders]] and [[Duchy of Brabant|Brabant]]. Among these were [[Ypres]], [[Bruges]], [[Ghent]], [[Brussels]] and [[Fall of Antwerp|Antwerp]]. He was also put in charge of the delegation that met with the envoys of [[Elizabeth I of England|Queen Elizabeth I]] at [[Bourbourg]] in 1587, in a feigned attempt to end [[Anglo-Spanish War (1585–1604)|hostilities]] between England and Spain. Meanwhile Farnese sent Richardot twice to the court of Madrid. His mission in 1583-1584 was to obtain more men and money for the war in the Netherlands. In 1589 he was sent to explain Farnese's failure to invade England with the [[Spanish Armada]].
Richardot would soon follow the example of the States of Artois, Hainaut and Lille, Douai and Orchies and reconcile with the new Governor-General, [[Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma|Alexander Farnese]]. He even penned a satirical attack on [[William the Silent]], published anonymously as ''Le Renart decouvert'' (Mons: [[Rutger Velpius]], 1580). Farnese was quick to recognize Richardot's talents, confirmed his membership of the Privy Council in 1580 and saw to his appointment as president of the Council of Artois in 1581. One of his first achievements was persuading the States of Artois to accept the return of Spanish units from the [[Army of Flanders]]. Soon thereafter Richardot was knighted by Philip II. On 26 February 1583, he was appointed councillor of the Council of State, the highest of the Collateral Councils and as such in charge of advising on matters of state. Farnese employed Richardot in many of the negotiations that secured the reconciliation of towns in [[County of Flanders|Flanders]] and [[Duchy of Brabant|Brabant]]. Among these were [[Ypres]], [[Bruges]], [[Ghent]], [[Brussels]] and [[Fall of Antwerp|Antwerp]]. He was also put in charge of the delegation that met with the envoys of [[Elizabeth I of England|Queen Elizabeth I]] at [[Bourbourg]] in 1587, in a feigned attempt to end [[Anglo-Spanish War (1585–1604)|hostilities]] between England and Spain. Meanwhile, Farnese sent Richardot twice to the court of Madrid. His mission in 1583-1584 was to obtain more men and money for the war in the Netherlands. In 1589 he was sent to explain Farnese's failure to invade England with the [[Spanish Armada]].


The disgrace and death of Farnese in December 1592 put Richardot's career on hold. The acting Governor-General [[Peter Ernst I von Mansfeld-Vorderort|Count Peter Ernst von Mansfeld]] even sought means to remove him from the Council of State. Initially, the [[Pedro Henriquez de Acevedo, Count of Fuentes|Count of Fuentes]] was no less hostile, though he came to value Richardot's abilities towards the end of his tenure as acting Governor-General.
The disgrace and death of Farnese in December 1592 put Richardot's career on hold. The acting Governor-General [[Peter Ernst I von Mansfeld-Vorderort|Count Peter Ernst von Mansfeld]] even sought means to remove him from the Council of State. Initially, the [[Pedro Henriquez de Acevedo, Count of Fuentes|Count of Fuentes]] was no less hostile, though he came to value Richardot's abilities towards the end of his tenure as acting Governor-General.


==President of the Privy Council under the Archdukes==
==President of the Privy Council under the Archdukes==
Richardot saw his political fortunes restored after [[Archduke Albert of Austria (1559–1621)|Cardinal-Archduke Albert]] was installed as the new Governor-General in February 1596. On 15 May 1597 Albert's recommendation ensured his appointment to the post of Chief-President of the Privy Council. From then on Richardot would be the highest ranking and most influential subject of the Habsburg Netherlands serving the Governor-General and subsequently the sovereign Archdukes Albert and [[Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain|Isabella]]. As a well known supporter of a general pacification in the Netherlands, he was often depicted by those in favor of continuing the [[Eighty Years' War|war against the United Provinces]] and their English and French allies as lacking in loyalty to the Spanish crown. In spite of that opposition, Richardot's policies would gradually prevail.
Richardot saw his political fortunes restored after [[Archduke Albert, sovereign of the Habsburg Netherlands|Cardinal-Archduke Albert]] was installed as the new Governor-General in February 1596. On 15 May 1597 Albert's recommendation ensured his appointment to the post of Chief-President of the Privy Council. From then on Richardot would be the highest ranking and most influential subject of the Habsburg Netherlands serving the Governor-General and subsequently the sovereign Archdukes Albert and [[Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia of Spain|Isabella]]. As a well known supporter of a general pacification in the Netherlands, he was often depicted by those in favor of continuing the [[Eighty Years' War|war against the United Provinces]] and their English and French allies as lacking in loyalty to the Spanish crown. In spite of that opposition, Richardot's policies would gradually prevail.


[[File:The Somerset House Conference 19 August 1604.jpg|thumb|left|400px|The [[Somerset House Conference]] of 1604, ascribed to [[Juan Pantoja de la Cruz]]. Jean Richardot is seated second on the left.]]
At every stage Richardot was at the center of the negotiations, as a rule seconded by the archducal ''Audiencier'' [[Louis Verreycken]]. Between February and May 1598, the two of them teamed up with [[Juan de Tassis, 1st Count of Villamediana|Juan de Tassis]] in the talks leading to the [[Peace of Vervins]] between Philip II and [[Henry IV of France]]. Two years later, Richardot had to admit defeat when talks held at [[Boulogne]] broke up over issues of precedence, thereby wasting the chance to bring an end to the war between Elizabeth I and [[Philip III of Spain|Philip III]]. When the succession of [[James I of England]] opened a new window of opportunity, Richardot, Verreycken and [[Charles de Ligne, 2nd Prince of Arenberg|Charles princely count of Arenberg]] participated between May and August 1604 in the conference at Somerset House that elaborated the [[Treaty of London (1604)|Treaty of London]]. In an effort to conclude a peace treaty with the [[Dutch Republic]], [[Ambrogio Spinola, 1st Marquis of the Balbases|Ambrogio Spinola]] and Richardot acted as the chief negotiators in the Habsburg delegation at the conference of The Hague from February to August 1608. Hopes to reach a definitive peace foundered however on irreconcilable issues of religion and trade. Under the mediation of France and England, the parties then settled for the [[Twelve Years' Truce]] that was signed in [[Antwerp]] in April 1609.
At every stage Richardot was at the center of the negotiations, as a rule seconded by the archducal ''Audiencier'' [[Lodewijk Verreycken]]. Between February and May 1598, the two of them teamed up with [[Juan de Tassis, 1st Count of Villamediana|Juan de Tassis]] in the talks leading to the [[Peace of Vervins]] between Philip II and [[Henry IV of France]]. Two years later, Richardot had to admit defeat when talks held at [[Boulogne]] broke up over issues of precedence, thereby wasting the chance to bring an end to the war between Elizabeth I and [[Philip III of Spain|Philip III]]. When the succession of [[James I of England]] opened a new window of opportunity, Richardot, Verreycken and [[Charles de Ligne, 2nd Prince of Arenberg|Charles princely count of Arenberg]] participated between May and August 1604 in the conference at Somerset House that elaborated the [[Treaty of London (1604)|Treaty of London]]. In an effort to conclude a peace treaty with the [[Dutch Republic]], [[Ambrogio Spinola, 1st Marquis of the Balbases|Ambrogio Spinola]] and Richardot acted as the chief negotiators in the Habsburg delegation at the conference of The Hague from February to August 1608. Hopes to reach a definitive peace foundered however on irreconcilable issues of religion and trade. Under the mediation of France and England, the parties then settled for the [[Twelve Years' Truce]] that was signed in [[Antwerp]] in April 1609.


==Death and descendants==
==Death and descendants==
Almost immediately after concluding the Truce, the archducal regime was confronted with the [[War of the Jülich succession|succession dispute]] over the Duchies of [[Duchy of Jülich|Jülich]], [[Duchy of Cleves|Cleves]] and [[Duchy of Berg|Berg]]. Soon Henry IV of France and Archduke Albert were sharply divided over how to deal with the crisis. To make matters worse, the [[Henri, Prince of Condé (1588–1646)|Prince of Condé]] chose that moment to flee to Brussels with his wife, [[Charlotte Marguerite de Montmorency]], thereby hoping to put her out of reach of the French king's amorous attentions. Hoping to avert a war, Richardot travelled to the French Court in August 1609 with instructions to assure Henry IV of Albert's neutrality in both affairs. In a show of displeasure, Henry conducted the audience outdoors, compelling the almost septuagenarian minister to stand bareheaded in the Sun for over an hour. Apparently suffering from the effects of hyperthermia, Richardot died on the way home at the residence of his son and namesake, the Bishop of Arras, on 3 September. He was buried in the chapel of the Most Holy Sacrament of Miracles of the then collegiate church of [[St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral|St Gudula]] in Brussels.
Almost immediately after concluding the Truce, the archducal regime was confronted with the [[War of the Jülich succession|succession dispute]] over the Duchies of [[Duchy of Jülich|Jülich]], [[Duchy of Cleves|Cleves]] and [[Duchy of Berg|Berg]]. Soon Henry IV of France and Archduke Albert were sharply divided over how to deal with the crisis. To make matters worse, the [[Henri, Prince of Condé (1588–1646)|Prince of Condé]] chose that moment to flee to Brussels with his wife, [[Charlotte Marguerite de Montmorency]], thereby hoping to put her out of reach of the French king's amorous attentions. Hoping to avert a war, Richardot travelled to the French Court in August 1609 with instructions to assure Henry IV of Albert's neutrality in both affairs. In a show of displeasure, Henry conducted the audience outdoors, compelling the almost septuagenarian minister to stand bareheaded in the Sun for over an hour. Apparently suffering from the effects of hyperthermia, Richardot died on the way home at the residence of his son and namesake, the Bishop of Arras, on 3 September. He was buried in the chapel of the Most Holy Sacrament of Miracles of the then collegiate church of [[St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral|St Gudula]] in Brussels.<ref name="leiden.edu"/>


In 1568 Jean Richardot married Anne Courcol de Baillencourt, who descended of a noble family from Artois. The couple had twelve children. Among them were:
In 1568 Jean Richardot married Anne Courcol de Baillencourt, who descended of a noble family from Artois. The couple had twelve children. Among them were:


*Françoise, married Conrad Schetz aka van Ursel, created baron of [[Hoboken, Antwerp|Hoboken]] in 1600, first archducal ambassador in England (1604-1609), ancestor of the [[Duke of Ursel|Dukes d'Ursel]].
*Françoise, married [[Conrad III Schetz|Conrad III Schetz dict van Ursel]], created 1st baron of [[Hoboken, Antwerp|Hoboken]] in 1600, first archducal ambassador in England (1604-1609), ancestor of the [[Duke of Ursel|Dukes d'Ursel]].
*[[Jean Richardot the Younger]], archducal envoy in Rome (1600-1603), prince-abbot of [[Lure, Haute-Saône|Lure]] (1601-1614), [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Arras|bishop of Arras]] (1603-1609), [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cambrai|prince-archbishop of Cambrai]] (1609-1614).
*[[Jean Richardot the Younger]], [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Arras|bishop of Arras]] (1603-1609) and [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cambrai|prince-archbishop of Cambrai]] (1609-1614).
*François, lieutenant of a company of cavalry, died in the [[Battle of Nieuwpoort]].
*François, lieutenant of a company of cavalry, died in the [[Battle of Nieuwpoort]].
*Pierre, abbot of [[Abbey of Echternach|Echternach]].
*[[Pierre Richardot|Pierre]], abbot of [[Abbey of Echternach|Echternach]] (1607-1628).
*Guillaume Richardot, who was educated in the house of [[Justus Lipsius]], styled baron of Lembeek, created count of [[Galmaarden]] (in [[French language|French]]: Gammeranges) in 1623.
*Guillaume Richardot, who was educated in the house of [[Justus Lipsius]], styled baron of Lembeek, created count of [[Galmaarden]] (in [[French language|French]]: Gammeranges) in 1623.
*Antoine Richardot, who was also educated in the house of [[Justus Lipsius]], captain of a company of cavalry.
*Antoine Richardot, who was also educated in the house of [[Justus Lipsius]], captain of a company of cavalry, died of his wounds after an encounter at [[Rheinberg]].

==Footnotes==
{{reflist}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
*{{Cite journal|last=Brants|first=Victor|author-link=Victor Brants|year=1901|title=Un ministre belge au XVIIe siècle: Jean Richardot, chef-président du Conseil privé des Pays-Bas, 1597-1609|journal=Académie royale de Belgique: Bulletin de la Classe des lettres|volume=8|pages=831–914|publisher=Académie royale de Belgique}}
*{{Cite book|last=Eysinga|first=Willem Jan Marie|year=1959|title=De wording van het Twaafjarig Bestand van 9 april 1609|publisher=Noord-Hollandsche Uitgevers Maatschappij}}
*{{Cite book|last=Eysinga|first=Willem Jan Marie|year=1959|title=De wording van het Twaafjarig Bestand van 9 april 1609|publisher=Noord-Hollandsche Uitgevers Maatschappij}}
*{{Cite journal|last=Dickerman|first=Edmund H.|year=1974|title=Henry IV and the Juliers-Cleves Crisis: The Psychohistorical Aspects|journal=French Historical Studies|volume=8|pages=626–653|publisher=Duke University Press|issn=00161071}}
*{{Cite journal|last=Dickerman|first=Edmund H.|year=1974|title=Henry IV and the Juliers-Cleves Crisis: The Psychohistorical Aspects|journal=French Historical Studies|volume=8|issue=4|pages=626–653|publisher=Duke University Press|issn=0016-1071|doi=10.2307/285856|jstor=285856}}
*{{Cite book|last= Allen|first=Paul C.|year=2000|title=Philip III and the Pax Hispanica, 1598-1621: The Failure of Grand Strategy|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=0300076827}}
*{{Cite book|last= Allen|first=Paul C.|year=2000|title=Philip III and the Pax Hispanica, 1598-1621: The Failure of Grand Strategy|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=0-300-07682-7}}
*{{Cite book|last=Vanhoutte|first=Jürgen|editor-last=Marnef|editor-first=Guido and Vermeir, René|contribution=Van robins tot très grands nobles: Carrièreplanning en huwelijksstrategie bij het geslacht Richardot in de Zuidelijke Nederlanden (1540-1701)|title=Adel en macht: politiek, cultuur, economie|year=2004|pages=17-55|publisher=Shaker publishing|isbn=9042302526}}
*{{Cite book|last=Vanhoutte|first=Jürgen|editor-last=Marnef|editor-first=Guido |editor2=Vermeir, René|contribution=Van robins tot très grands nobles: Carrièreplanning en huwelijksstrategie bij het geslacht Richardot in de Zuidelijke Nederlanden (1540-1701)|title=Adel en macht: politiek, cultuur, economie|year=2004|pages=17–55|publisher=Shaker publishing|isbn=90-423-0252-6}}


{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Richardot, Jean}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Richardot, Jean}}
[[Category:Belgian diplomats]]
[[Category:1540 births]]
[[Category:Belgian politicians]]
[[Category:1609 deaths]]
[[Category:Burials at St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral, Brussels]]
[[Category:Diplomats of the Habsburg Netherlands]]
[[Category:Dutch people of the Eighty Years' War]]
[[Category:Presidents of the Privy Council of the Habsburg Netherlands]]
[[Category:Spanish people of the Eighty Years' War]]
[[Category:Burials at the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula]]
[[Category:Burgundian people of the Eighty Years' War]]

Latest revision as of 23:01, 19 March 2024

Jean Richardot
President of the Privy Council of the Habsburg Netherlands
In office
1597–1609
MonarchsArchdukes Albert and Isabella
Succeeded byEngelbert Maes
Personal details
Born
Jean Grusset

1540
Champlitte, Franche-Comté
Died3 September 1609
Arras
Resting placeChurch of St Gudula, Brussels
SpouseAnne Courcol de Baillencourt
RelationsFrançois Richardot (maternal uncle)
Parent(s)Guillaume Grusset and Marguerite Richardot
Educationcivil law
Alma materLeuven University

Jean Grusset dict Richardot, knight (1540 – 3 September 1609) was a statesman and diplomat from the Franche-Comté, who held high political office during the Dutch Revolt and played an important role in restoring Habsburg rule in the Southern Netherlands.

Early life and career[edit]

Jean Richardot belonged to the network of families from the Franche-Comté that rose to important posts in the administration of the Habsburg Netherlands under the patronage of Antoine Perrenot de Granvelle. He was born in Champlitte in 1540 as the son of Guillaume Grusset and Marguerite Richardot. His uncle on his mother's side was François Richardot, the confessor of Margaret of Parma, a close collaborator of Granvelle and his successor as bishop of Arras. François Richardot supervised his nephew's education and furthered his first steps in the Habsburg administration. Whether out of gratitude or calculation, Jean Grusset subsequently adopted his uncle's surname. After his humanities at the Collège Granvelle in Besançon, Jean studied law at the universities of Leuven, where he established strong ties with one of his professors, Peter Peckius. He continued his studies in Rome and Padua and obtained his doctorate in law from the University of Bologna.[1]

Thanks to the patronage of Granvelle, Philip II appointed Richardot councillor in the Great Council of Mechelen in 1568. Seven years later he was promoted to the Privy Council of the Habsburg Netherlands, one of the three Collateral Councils that advised the Governor-General of the Habsburg Netherlands, a post that was at the time held by Don Luis de Requesens y Zúñiga. In the confusion that followed the death of Requesens, Richardot sided with the Dutch Revolt and its leader William the Silent. The move earned him an appointment to the Privy Council of the rebels' Governor-General Archduke Matthias. In that capacity he was sent to Arras to use his local connections to dissuade the States of Artois from joining the Union of Arras.

Rise to power under Farnese[edit]

Richardot would soon follow the example of the States of Artois, Hainaut and Lille, Douai and Orchies and reconcile with the new Governor-General, Alexander Farnese. He even penned a satirical attack on William the Silent, published anonymously as Le Renart decouvert (Mons: Rutger Velpius, 1580). Farnese was quick to recognize Richardot's talents, confirmed his membership of the Privy Council in 1580 and saw to his appointment as president of the Council of Artois in 1581. One of his first achievements was persuading the States of Artois to accept the return of Spanish units from the Army of Flanders. Soon thereafter Richardot was knighted by Philip II. On 26 February 1583, he was appointed councillor of the Council of State, the highest of the Collateral Councils and as such in charge of advising on matters of state. Farnese employed Richardot in many of the negotiations that secured the reconciliation of towns in Flanders and Brabant. Among these were Ypres, Bruges, Ghent, Brussels and Antwerp. He was also put in charge of the delegation that met with the envoys of Queen Elizabeth I at Bourbourg in 1587, in a feigned attempt to end hostilities between England and Spain. Meanwhile, Farnese sent Richardot twice to the court of Madrid. His mission in 1583-1584 was to obtain more men and money for the war in the Netherlands. In 1589 he was sent to explain Farnese's failure to invade England with the Spanish Armada.

The disgrace and death of Farnese in December 1592 put Richardot's career on hold. The acting Governor-General Count Peter Ernst von Mansfeld even sought means to remove him from the Council of State. Initially, the Count of Fuentes was no less hostile, though he came to value Richardot's abilities towards the end of his tenure as acting Governor-General.

President of the Privy Council under the Archdukes[edit]

Richardot saw his political fortunes restored after Cardinal-Archduke Albert was installed as the new Governor-General in February 1596. On 15 May 1597 Albert's recommendation ensured his appointment to the post of Chief-President of the Privy Council. From then on Richardot would be the highest ranking and most influential subject of the Habsburg Netherlands serving the Governor-General and subsequently the sovereign Archdukes Albert and Isabella. As a well known supporter of a general pacification in the Netherlands, he was often depicted by those in favor of continuing the war against the United Provinces and their English and French allies as lacking in loyalty to the Spanish crown. In spite of that opposition, Richardot's policies would gradually prevail.

The Somerset House Conference of 1604, ascribed to Juan Pantoja de la Cruz. Jean Richardot is seated second on the left.

At every stage Richardot was at the center of the negotiations, as a rule seconded by the archducal Audiencier Lodewijk Verreycken. Between February and May 1598, the two of them teamed up with Juan de Tassis in the talks leading to the Peace of Vervins between Philip II and Henry IV of France. Two years later, Richardot had to admit defeat when talks held at Boulogne broke up over issues of precedence, thereby wasting the chance to bring an end to the war between Elizabeth I and Philip III. When the succession of James I of England opened a new window of opportunity, Richardot, Verreycken and Charles princely count of Arenberg participated between May and August 1604 in the conference at Somerset House that elaborated the Treaty of London. In an effort to conclude a peace treaty with the Dutch Republic, Ambrogio Spinola and Richardot acted as the chief negotiators in the Habsburg delegation at the conference of The Hague from February to August 1608. Hopes to reach a definitive peace foundered however on irreconcilable issues of religion and trade. Under the mediation of France and England, the parties then settled for the Twelve Years' Truce that was signed in Antwerp in April 1609.

Death and descendants[edit]

Almost immediately after concluding the Truce, the archducal regime was confronted with the succession dispute over the Duchies of Jülich, Cleves and Berg. Soon Henry IV of France and Archduke Albert were sharply divided over how to deal with the crisis. To make matters worse, the Prince of Condé chose that moment to flee to Brussels with his wife, Charlotte Marguerite de Montmorency, thereby hoping to put her out of reach of the French king's amorous attentions. Hoping to avert a war, Richardot travelled to the French Court in August 1609 with instructions to assure Henry IV of Albert's neutrality in both affairs. In a show of displeasure, Henry conducted the audience outdoors, compelling the almost septuagenarian minister to stand bareheaded in the Sun for over an hour. Apparently suffering from the effects of hyperthermia, Richardot died on the way home at the residence of his son and namesake, the Bishop of Arras, on 3 September. He was buried in the chapel of the Most Holy Sacrament of Miracles of the then collegiate church of St Gudula in Brussels.[1]

In 1568 Jean Richardot married Anne Courcol de Baillencourt, who descended of a noble family from Artois. The couple had twelve children. Among them were:

Footnotes[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Richardotjean". Dutchrevolt.leiden.edu. Retrieved 16 February 2019.

Sources[edit]

  • Brants, Victor (1901). "Un ministre belge au XVIIe siècle: Jean Richardot, chef-président du Conseil privé des Pays-Bas, 1597-1609". Académie royale de Belgique: Bulletin de la Classe des lettres. 8. Académie royale de Belgique: 831–914.
  • Eysinga, Willem Jan Marie (1959). De wording van het Twaafjarig Bestand van 9 april 1609. Noord-Hollandsche Uitgevers Maatschappij.
  • Dickerman, Edmund H. (1974). "Henry IV and the Juliers-Cleves Crisis: The Psychohistorical Aspects". French Historical Studies. 8 (4). Duke University Press: 626–653. doi:10.2307/285856. ISSN 0016-1071. JSTOR 285856.
  • Allen, Paul C. (2000). Philip III and the Pax Hispanica, 1598-1621: The Failure of Grand Strategy. Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-07682-7.
  • Vanhoutte, Jürgen (2004). "Van robins tot très grands nobles: Carrièreplanning en huwelijksstrategie bij het geslacht Richardot in de Zuidelijke Nederlanden (1540-1701)". In Marnef, Guido; Vermeir, René (eds.). Adel en macht: politiek, cultuur, economie. Shaker publishing. pp. 17–55. ISBN 90-423-0252-6.
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