v08_1463 - BERRY - PRINCIPAUTÉ DE BOISBELLE-HENRICHEMONT - MAXIMILIEN DE BÉTHUNE, DUC DE SULLY Double tournois

BERRY - PRINCIPALITY OF BOISBELLE-HENRICHEMONT - MAXIMILIAN OF BÉTHUNE, DUKE OF SULLY

(1597-1641)

Maximilien de Béthune, Baron de Rosny and Duke of Sully, is better known as Sully. He was born in the Château de Rosny, near Mantes, on December 13, 1560. Protestant and childhood friend of Henri IV, he followed the King of France in all his military campaigns where he distinguished himself by his qualities as an engineer. In 1590 he was wounded at the Battle of Ivry. From 1596, Henri IV entrusted him with the management of the kingdom's finances. He led a policy of economy, reduction of charges and size and, in order to promote trade, he abolished a large number of tolls and built a large number of roads, bridges or canals. He held various important positions: in 1599 he was grand master of artillery and fortifications and grand voyer of France, in 1602 governor of the Bastille, in 1604, superintendent of buildings, captain of water and rivers, governor of Poitou. The death of Henri IV put an end to his political career. In 1634 Louis XIII appointed him Marshal of France. He died at the Château de Villebon (Loir-et-Cher) on December 22, 1641..