Grand Master of the Artillery of France

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The Grand Master of the Artillery of France (French: grand maître de l'artillerie de France ) was an office and grand office of the crown of France. It was created in 1601 by King Henry IV as a grand office of the crown with all privileges and was the successor office of the grand master of the crossbowmen ( grand maître des arbalétriers ), which existed until the introduction of firearms . The incumbent was responsible for the entire artillery of the kingdom, all army locations, the supply and maintenance of firearms , the management of all arsenals in France, the catering for the army to the manufacture of gunpowder and cannons and the management of siege work . He was master of the arsenal in Paris.

Before the elevation to the Crown Office there was the office with various titulatures, including that of the "Grand Master's Office of Artillery" since 1469:

  • 1439–1463: Jean Bureau , Maître de l'artillerie
  • 1469–1485: Hélion von Groing, general, master, inspector of the king's artillery ( Visiteur de l'Artillerie du Roi ) under Louis XI.
  • 1469–1473: Louis Bastet of Crussol, Lord of Crussol and Florensac; Great bread master of France and master of the artillery of France (see House Crussol )
  • Charles de Culant (see Harpedane )

This was followed by seven “Inspectors of the King's Artillery” ( Visiteurs de l'Artillerie du Roi ). Then was under Louis XII. and Franz I. von

however, at that time it was not yet a crown office. Eight other gentlemen held the office, six with the title "Grand Master of the Artillery of France" (among them Armand de Gontaut, seigneur de Biron 1569), two with the title of "Master of the Artillery of France". The first incumbent as crown office was Maximilian I von Béthune , Duke von Sully , King Henry IV. Super minister, advisor and confidante. He held the office until the king was assassinated in 1610. His successor was his son of the same name. While the administration of justice was initially also part of the official task, the Crown Office lost power at the end of the 17th century and was only of formal importance. The tasks were taken over by the office of fortress manager. The last incumbent was Ludwig Karl von Bourbon. 1755 it was by King Louis XV. canceled.

List of the Grand Masters of the Artillery of France

Helion de la Mothe au Groing, "Grand maître et visiteur de toutes les artilleries de France", 1469 , Musée de l'Armée (Paris)
  • 1439: Jean Bureau
  • 1469: Hélion le Groing
  • 1469: Louis Bastet de Crussol, seigneur de Crussol, Beaudinet & Florensac
  • 1472: Gobert Cadiot
  • 1473: Guillaume Bournel, seigneur de Lambercourt
  • 1477: Jean Cholet, seigneur de la Choletière
  • 1479: Guillaume Picart, seigneur d'Etelan
  • 1479: Jacques Galiot Ricard de Genouillac († 1493)
  • 1493: Guy Guyot de Lauzières, seigneur de Montreuil
  • 1495: Jean de La Grange, seigneur de Vieil-Châtel
  • 1501: Jacques de Silly, seigneur de Lonrai
  • 1504: Paul de Busserade (or Benserade), († 1512), seigneur de Cépy
  • 1512: Jacques Galiot Ricard de Gourdon de Genouillac (1465–1546), seigneur d'Acier
  • 1546: Jean de Taix († 1553), seigneur de Taix
  • 1547: Charles I. de Cossé, comte de Brissac (1507–1563),
  • 1550: Jean I. d'Estrées (1486–1571), comte d'Orbec
  • 1567: Jean Babou (1511–1569), seigneur de La Bourdaisière
  • 1569: Armand de Gontaut (1524–1592), baron de Biron
  • 1578: Philibert, seigneur de La Guiche († 1607)
  • 1596: François d'Espinay (1554–1597), seigneur de Saint-Luc
  • 1597: Antoine IV. D'Estrées (before 1529–1609), marquis de Cœuvres
  • 1599: Maximilien de Béthune (1559–1641), baron, then marquis de Rosny, then duc de Sully
  • 1610: Maximilien II de Béthune (1588–1634), marquis de Rosny & prince d'Henrichemont, (son of the previous one)
  • 1629: Antoine Coëffier de Ruzé (1581–1632), marquis d'Effiat
  • 1634: Charles de La Porte (1602–1664), marquis, then duc de La Meilleraye
  • 1646: Armand-Charles de La Porte (1632–1713), duc de La Meilleraye, de Mayenne & de Rethelois-Mazarin, (son of the previous one)
  • 1669: Henry de Daillon (from 1622–1685), comte du Lude, then duc du Lude
  • 1685: Louis de Crevant (1628–1694), duc d'Humières
  • 1694: Louis Auguste I de Bourbon, duc du Maine (1670–1736)
  • 1736: Louis Charles de Bourbon, comte d'Eu (1701–1775)
  • 1755: abolition of the title

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