MARCA (Peter de), one of the greatest ornaments of the Gallican church, was born in Bearn, of an ancient family, in 1594. He first studied the law, was made president of the parliament of Bearn, and, going to Paris in 1639, was made a counsellor of state: the good opinion entertained of his knowledge was confirmed by his History of Bearn. By the king's order he published a work, De concordia sacerdotii et imperii, five de libertatibus ecclesie Gallicæ, in refutation of a book that appeared under the title of Optatus Gallus; and on this account, when on the death of his wife he was nominated bishop of Conserans, the court of Rome refused the bulls in his favour, until by another book he explained away all he had said on behalf of the state, to the limitation of the papal power. He obtained his confirmation, after seven years suspense, in 1648; was translated to the arch-bishopric of Toulouse in 1652; and was made minister of state in 1658. He died at Paris in 1662, a short time after he had received the bulls as the arch-bishop of that metropolis. After his death appeared his Posthumous works, with prefaces, notes, &c. by M. Baluze. In all he wrote, he shewed great abilities and learning, but is reproached for accommodating them to his views of interest and ambition.