Aumont family
The family of Aumont is a French noble house which takes its name from Aumont, a small commune in the department of the Somme.[1] The dukedom of Aumont in the peerage of France was created in 1665 for Antoine d'Aumont de Rochebaron (1601–1669), Marquis of Isles. For over two centuries, the Dukes of Aumont held the position of First Gentleman of the Bedchamber to the king (Premier gentilhomme de la chambre du Roi). The current head of the family is Jacques d'Aumont, 14th Duke of Aumont.
History
This illustrious family of great antiquity descends from Jean, sieur d'Aumont, who accompanied Louis IX on the Crusades. Already powerful by the 14th century, during the Hundred Years' War the Aumonts served as military commanders to the French kings. Towards the end of that century, the family changed sides to the Dukes of Burgundy, but transferred its loyalties back to the Kings of France after the death of Charles the Bold in 1477.
Jean d'Aumont, a Lieutenant-General in the French Army and Governor of Burgundy, was a key player under Louis XII and Francis I.
Jean VI d'Aumont (1552–1595) a Marshal of France and appointed an inaugural Knight of the Holy Spirit in 1578, fought against the Huguenots under the last of the Valois kings; he was among the first to recognize Henry IV, and was appointed Governor of Champagne and of Brittany, where he faced battles against the Catholic League. He died at the Château de Comper fighting Philippe Emmanuel, Duke of Mercœur, the League's leader. His grandson Antoine d'Aumont de Rochebaron (1601––1669) was a Marshal of France (1651), Governor of Paris (1662), and first Duke of Aumont. He was Marquis of Villequier, Isle, Nolay and Chappes, as well as Baron of Estrabonnes, before being created Duke of Aumont and a Peer of France in 1665. He had played an important role in the Battle of Rethel in December 1650.
Notable family members
- Louis-Marie-Victor d'Aumont (1632–1704), 2nd Duke of Aumont (previously Marquis of Chappes and Villequier), was a royal courtier under Louis XIV, who married on 21 November 1660 Madeleine, daughter of Michel le Tellier, marquis de Barbezieux (1603–1685).
- Louis d'Aumont (1667–1723), 3rd Duke of Aumont (Marquis of Villequier until 1704), was a politician and French Ambassador to London, who married Olympe, daughter of Antoine de Brouilly, marquis de Piennes.
- Louis-Marie d'Aumont de Rochebaron (1691–1723), 4th Duke of Aumont (known as Marquis of Villequier).
- Louis-Marie-Augustin d'Aumont (1709–1782), 4th Duke of Aumont, was a royal courtier and a celebrated collector of works of art.
- Louis-Marie-Guy d'Aumont de Rochebaron (1732-1799), 6th Duke of Aumont, and marquis de Villequier et de Piennes, duc de Mazarin, later duc de Piennes, as well as baron de Chappes.
- Alexandre d'Aumont (1736-1814), 7th Duke of Aumont, devoted to Louis XVI, helped him escape from his prison during the Revolution in the misguided flight to Varennes.
- Louis-Marie-Celeste d'Aumont (1762–1831), 8th Duke of Aumont (from 1814), was also Duke of Piennes, etc. He emigrated during the Revolution and served in the army of the royalists, as also in the Swedish army. During the Hundred Days of Napoleon he effected a descent upon Normandy in the Bourbon interest, succeeding in the capture of Bayeux and Caen. Following his ancestors, he became Premier Gentilhomme of the Bedchamber to Louis XVIII, after the Restauration.
- Adolphe-Henri-Aimery d'Aumont (1785–1849), 9th Duke of Aumont (also Marquis of Villequier, etc).
- Louis-Marie-Joseph d'Aumont (1809–1888), 10th Duke of Aumont (also Marquis of Villequier, etc).
Modern lineage
Despite the restoration and later abolition of the French Monarchy during the lifetime of the 10th Duke, the Aumont family maintained its claim to their titles.[2] The means and influence of the family however, had decreased significantly since the reign of Louis XVIII. The dwindling French nobility at this time remained an enclosed and inward looking group. Several nobles had ceased the common usage of their titles by the beginning of the 20th Century. The current Fifth French Republic does not recognize royal titles. However, the current head of the family, Jacques d'Aumont, is styled as the 14th Duke of Aumont, duc de Mazarin, duc de Piennes, and baron de Chappes. His only son and heir holds the curtsey title of Marquis de Villequier.
References
- ↑ Burkes Peerage - European Nobility, p.456
- ↑ http://www.heraldique-europeenne.org/Regions/France/Duche_Aumont.htm
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