HOSPITAL (Michael de l'), chancellor of France in the 16th century, was one of the greatest men of his age, and had raised himself by degrees. He agreed to an edict much severer against the Protestants than he could have wished, to prevent the introduction of the inquisition. It was that of Romorantin. The speeches he made, in order to inspire a spirit of toleration, made him much suspected by the Roman Catholics, and extremely odious to the court of Rome. The maxims of state upon which he regulated himself were of great advantage to France, since he formed some disciples who opposed, in proper time, the pernicious attempts of the leaguers, and rendered them abortive.—His pacific views being disliked by Catharine de Medicis, who had contributed to his advancement, she excluded him from the council of war, and occasioned his disgrace. He retired, however, of his own accord, in 1568; and spent the rest of his life at his country-seat at Vignai, where he died in 1573, aged 68. His poems are esteemed. He also published some excellent speeches and memoirs.