Jean-François-Paul de Gondi
Jean-François-Paul de Gondi was a prominent French prelate and political figure born in 1613 at the Château of Montmirail. He belonged to the influential Gondi family, which had substantial land holdings and connections to the aristocracy. Initially destined for a clerical career, Gondi received a broad education under the tutelage of St. Vincent de Paul, becoming proficient in multiple languages and gaining a deep understanding of literature, including works that inspired his interest in republicanism and intrigue.
In 1644, he was consecrated as the archbishop of Corinth and quickly became popular among the Parisian populace. Gondi's political ambitions led him to oppose Cardinal Jules Mazarin, the chief minister during the regency of Anne of Austria, particularly during the Fronde, a series of civil wars in France. His leadership in the rebellion against Mazarin ultimately led to his arrest in 1652; however, he escaped two years later. Later in life, he was appointed a cardinal and engaged in diplomatic service. Gondi's memoirs, which he began writing in 1671, provide a detailed account of his experiences and the Fronde, showcasing his narrative talent and contributing significantly to 17th-century literature. He passed away in 1679, having left behind a rich legacy both as a political figure and as a writer.
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Subject Terms
Jean-François-Paul de Gondi
Churchman
- Born: October 1, 1613
- Birthplace: Château of Montmirail, France
- Died: August 24, 1679
- Place of death: Paris, France
Biography
A French prelate and political leader, Jean-François-Paul de Gondi was born at the Château of Montmirail in France in 1613. He was a member of the Gondi family, which had acquired large land holdings in Brittany and had become associated with the most important aristocratic families. Destined for a career in the church, he was made a knight of Malta as soon as he was born. He was educated by St. Vincent de Paul, a private tutor. In spite of his tutor’s efforts, Gondi never developed any real enthusiasm for the clerical life, but he did receive a broad education. Gondi learned seven languages and became familiar with both sacred and profane literature, including Plutarch and Sallust. These last two authors may well have given him his penchant for republican ideas and conspiracy.
At the age of eighteen Gondi wrote his first book; the subject was the work of Italian author Augustino Mascardi. Gondi’s work differed significantly from that of Mascardi, for he highly favored the conspiracy that had been condemned by the Italian. His taste for intrigue drew Gondi into the plots of the Count de Soissons from 1638 to 1641. However, the ecclesiastical career chosen for him by his family was the one he would follow throughout his life. He was appointed as coadjutor to his uncle, the archbishop of Paris, and on January 31, 1644, he was consecrated archbishop of Corinth at Notre Dame. He quickly gained popularity among the Parisians. Gondi was politically ambitious and soon became a powerful enemy of Cardinal Jules Mazarin, the first minister of Anne of Autriche, Regent of France, during the minority of her son (who would become Louis XIV). Mazarin, an Italian by birth, was extremely unpopular.
When the rebellion against Mazarin (referred to as the Fronde) broke out in October of 1648, Gondi was one of the leaders. When the movement under the leadership of the Prince de Condé turned against the king, Gondi abandoned it. In September of 1651, Pope Innocent X made Gondi a cardinal. Gondi remained loyal to the king but continued to oppose Mazarin, who managed to have him arrested and imprisoned in 1652. He escaped two years later. By 1662, he was pardoned and back in the king’s favor. He spent the last years of his life in diplomatic service. In 1671, he began writing his memoirs. He had only completed recounting his life through 1655 when he died. The memoirs are an outstanding example of classical prose style and give an excellent detailed account of the Fronde. Gondi’s narrative skill and his ability to create verbal portraits of individuals make his memoirs an important contribution to the literature of the seventeenth century.