RICHLIEU, JOHN ARMAND DU PLESSIS DE, cardinal of Richlieu and Fronfac, bishop of Lucon, &c. was born at Paris in 1585. He was of excellent parts;
and at the age of 22 had the address to obtain a dispen-
sation to enjoy the bishopric of Lucon in 1607. Re-
turning into France, he applied himself in a particular
manner to the function of preaching; and his reputa-
tion this way procured him the office of almoner to the
queen Mary de Medicis. His abilities in the manage-
ment of affairs advanced him to be secretary of state in
1616; and the king soon gave him the preference to all
his other secretaries. The death of the marquis d'Ancre
having produced a revolution in state affairs, Richlieu
retired to Avignon; where he employed himself in
composing books of controversy and piety. The king
having recalled him to court, he was made a cardinal
in 1622; and, two years after, first minister of state,
and grand master of the navigation. In 1626, the isle
of Rhéé was preferred by his care, and Rochelle taken,
having stopped up the haven by that famous dyke which
he ordered to be made there. He accompanied the king
to the siege of Cazal, and contributed not a little to
the raising of it in 1629. He also obliged the Hugue-
nots to the peace at Alets, which proved the ruin of
that party; he took Pamerol, and succoured Cazal be-
sieged by Spinola. In the mean time the nobles found
fault with his conduct, and persuaded the king to dis-
card him. The cardinal, for his part, was unmoved
with it; and by his reasonings overthrew what was
thought to be determined against him; so that, instead
of being disgraced, he from that moment became more
powerful than ever. He punished all his enemies in the
same manner as they would have had him suffer; and
the day which produced this event, so glorious to Car-
dinal Richlieu, was called the day of dupes. This able
minister had from thenceforward an ascendancy over the
king's mind; and he now resolved to humble the ex-
cessive pride of the house of Austria. For that purpose
he concluded a treaty with Gustavus Adolphus king
of Sweden, for carrying the war into the heart of Ger-
many. He also entered into a league with the duke of
Bavaria; secured Lorraine; raised a part of the princes
of the empire against the emperor; treated with the
Dutch to continue the war against Spain; favoured the
Catalans and Portuguese till they shook off the Spanish
yoke; and, in short, took so many different measures,
that he accomplished his design; and after having car-
ried on the war with success, was thinking of concluding
it by a peace, when he died at Paris on the 4th of De-
cember 1642, aged 58. He was interred in the Sor-
bonne, where a magnificent mausoleum is erected to his
memory. This great politician made the arts and sciences
flourish; formed the botanical garden at Paris, called the
king's garden; founded the French academy; estab-
lished the royal printing-house; erected the palace afterwards
called Le Palais Royal, which he presented to the king;
and rebuilt the Sorbonne with a magnificence that ap-
pears truly royal. Besides his books of controversy and
piety, there go under the name of this minister, A
Journal, in 2 vols 12mo; and a Political Testament, in
12mo; all treating of politics and state affairs. Cardinal
Mazarine pursued Richlieu's plan, and completed
many of the schemes which he had begun, but left un-
finished.