(Armand de Gontault, Lord of), Marshal of France, and a celebrated general in the 16th century, signalized himself by his valour and conduct in several sieges and battles. He was made grand master of the artillery in 1590, and no body dared to assault him at the massacre of St Bartholomew. He was the first who declared for Henry IV. He brought a part of Normandy under his subjection, and diffused him from retiring to England or Rochelle. But he was killed by a cannon-ball, at the siege of Epernay, on the 26th of July 1592. He was a very universal scholar; and used to carry a pocket-book, in which he wrote down every thing that appeared remarkable; which gave rise to a proverb very much used at court: When a person happened to say anything uncommon, they told him, You have found that in Biron's pocket-book.