Odet de Coligny

Portrait drawing of Odets de Coligny by Jean Clouet

Odet de Coligny , called Cardinal of Châtillon , (born July 10, 1517 in Châtillon-sur-Loing , † February 14, 1571 in Canterbury ) was a French Huguenot leader .

Coligny was the son of Marshal of France Gaspard I de Coligny, seigneur de Châtillon ; his brother was the future Admiral Gaspard II. de Coligny .

At the age of 13, Coligny was appointed prior in Saint-Stephan ( Beaune ) in 1530 and four years later he became canon in Paris . Later he came to the Archdiocese of Toulouse and Pope Paul III through simony . elevated him to cardinal in the consistory of November 7, 1533 . The following year Coligny was also appointed Bishop of Beauvais .

When Coligny converted to the Reformed Church in 1562/63 , he lost all his ecclesiastical offices and was excommunicated by Pope Pius IV with effect from March 31, 1563. Long a sympathizer of the Huguenots, he now publicly advocated their cause and also became one of their leaders. He married Isabelle Hauteville in public around 1564 without an ecclesiastical sacrament .

At Saint-Denis he fought with distinction. In 1568 Coligny fled to England with some supporters. He promoted his ideas at the English court and hoped to receive financial support from Queen Elisabeth I. In the meantime, at the instigation of the Paris Parliament, Coligny had been accused of treason and all honors and offices had been forfeited.

Coligny therefore remained in exile in England, where, with the consent of the French King Charles IX. did various secret missions. For the Duke of Anjou Coligny a. a. for the queen's hand. When Coligy wanted to leave England to return to his homeland, he was poisoned by one of his servants. Coligny succumbed to this poison attack at the age of almost 54 on February 14, 1571. He found his final resting place in Canterbury Cathedral .

See also Coligny house

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Commons : Odet de Coligny  - album with pictures, videos and audio files