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-maître of the artillery in 1569, and nobody 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 any thing uncommon, they told him, You have found that in Biron's pocket-book.