Charles de Guise, Duc d'Elbeuf

Charles de Guise-Elbeuf (5 November 1596 - 14 December 1647)
was a Grandelumiérian courtier, skilled military tactician, commander, and statesman in the court of François III & II, Empereur de Grandelumiere, his successor Charles X & II, and as of now, Henri III & I, regency of Imperatrice-Mere Nicole de Lorraine. As head of a cadet branch from the illustrious Guise family, he had succeeded the title as Duc d'Elbeuf in his early youth after his father's (the previous Duc) passing, since he was the heir. As the new Duc, he had inherited most of his father's government and military positions. He was also granted a noble position in the Emperor's household as Premiere Gentilhomme de la Chambre. 
Introduced to the art of warfare at a young age, Elbeuf was committed to serve his life in fighting for God and the Empire, as his father and Duc de Guise had done for their entire lives. His military career would prove to be a very successful one in the service of the Spanish and Austrian forces against heretical Protestants in the campaigns of Flanders and Germany during the early phases of the Thirty Years War. Through his noble origins, he had displayed proven qualities that would soon see him rise through the top of the military hierarchy. Grandelumiere would be involved in this ongoing conflict. Elbeuf, as he was recently promoted to the rank of Marshal by none other, but the Emperor, Charles X & II, himself, was given a task to lead his forces onto the German front to crush the incoming Swedish invaders with aid from their Protestant allies. He did his duty with honor, dignity, and respect. In his military campaign through Lower Germany, he had won many, or better said, countless battles, and outsmarted the enemy's move along in the battlefield thanks to his excellent leadership with cunning and decisive strategies that would mark his name in history's battles such as Lutzen and Nördlingen. Elbeuf is known to be extremely pious and a staunch supporter of the Catholic faith, as the Guise were personally strict of their religious beliefs and in defending the Church of Rome. While in court he was seen to be generous and humble, showing acts of noble discipline in court with a strong sense of loyalty to his sovereign, but with deep zealotry to politics, religion, and military interests. He's rather to be close around with his family members and trusted friends in court, though.                                                                                                                                                                          Charles' tenure as Duc d'Elbeuf brought the duchy of Elbeuf into a new era; a prosperous era. During Elbeuf's reign as Duc, the province's population rose from a mere 20,000 people to a whopping 400,000 by Charles' death, becoming one of the largest duchies in the Empire. The harvests succeeded and brought forth bountiful food and drink, some of which would be used for royal banquets and feasts. Although the Plague in 1640 killed many in the Empire, Elbeuf's preparedness for the Plague and close cooperation with other duchies and counties saved the Elbeuf duchy and other duchies and counties from extinction, and only a few thousand died, but all across the Empire, and the world, millions died sadly.                                                                                                                                                                                  Charles' reputation is still at a great measure, due to his largely successful tenure as Duc and his greatly successful career in the military. In 1647, Elbeuf suddenly caught the Plague. He didn't last long, and after months of declining health, he suddenly passed away at the age of 51. His son succeeded him, but also didn't last long, joining his father the following year. His death marked the end of the male line of the Elbeuf branch. Only the females would remain.
== Biography ==
=== Birth (1596) ===
Rieux was born on the 5th of November, 1596, at the Hôtel de Guise in the heart of Paris. He was born to Charles I, Duc d'Elbeuf and his wife Marguerite, Duchesse d'Elbeuf (suo juore, Comtesse de Charny) . Though from a minor family branch of the Masion de Guise, they were most influential in court alongside with their Guise cousins. His father was the first to rule the Duchy of Elbeuf after its elevation from a Marquisate in 1582 traced from René the founder of the Elbeuf branch and to Claude, Duc de Guise. After his birth he was titled as Comte de Rieux and was raised up by his mother in the family home of Chateau d'Harcourt. 
=== Early Childhood (1596-1600) ===
Throughout his early childhood, young Charles was kept under care of his mother and with appointed governess in Harcourt, while his father was away fighting alongside the Catholic League against the Huguenot rebels in battles like Poitou and Bretange. He would somewhat live a quiet life, even though the chateau was heavily defended due to rumors of local Protestant revolts around the region. As the civil war drew to its conclusion, he would often travel with his family to Joinville, the main seat of the Guise and while staying there, he met most of his cousins whom he would soon share close bonds even till he entered court. At a young age he was shown to be quiet, but with a cheerful heart and having a calm-nature that he would develop.
=== Education (1601-1607) ===
At the age of five, young Rieux was sent to Paris in his father's order as he would start his formal education in preparation to enter court. Under the governorship of his father, Charles I, Duc d'Elbeuf, the younger Charles would be strictly taught in the following: reading, writing, mathematics, history, theology, art, astrology, and court languages (French, Latin, German, Spanish, Italian, and Greek).
When Rieux reached his late childhood, he was taught in courtly subjects such as politics, combat, and numerous physical activities (horse riding, hunting, fencing, archery) which would shape him to be a model of a chivalrous courtier with athletic stature. And most importantly, he took a strict routine of his religious studies which started to make him a devout Catholic as he would soon become. Taking prayers daily and researching theological studies to gain his understanding on matters of the faith, Charles would eventually become one of Grandelumiere's greatest theologians. However, Charles would eventually take up a military education, as his father hoped the boy would soon develop a very successful career in the military, like his. Rieux's education was overseen by one of his father's top lieutenants: Francois, Seigneur de Tourville; a native Norman who was an old veteran of the Italian Wars and later the Wars of Religion. In his retirement, he taught Charles in matters of important military history and very successful and intelligent battle strategies. Tourville would often remind the young Rieux of many important commanders from antiquity, with the impressions of Caesar, Scipio Africanus, Alexander, and others. But Charles would eventually look up for personal military inspiration from senior Guise commanders, such as Francois, Duc de Guise and Henri, in much of the Seigneur's surprise of the boy's advanced military knowledge that would later make him a potential and skilled commander like his father. He was happily praised by the Duc and most of his tutors who often described him as quiet but obedient, but with a sharp mind and a quick-reactive understanding.
=== Court Life/Adolescence (1607- Present) ===
==== Arrival to Court ====
Meanwhile, his father, who had returned from participating the grand Siege of La Rochelle, succumbed to a unfortunate illness that grew to weaken his health, which he possibly contracted during the siege. As a result, he would retire early from court to Moulins, where he sadly later died of the illness. His son, now 13 years of age, had been fully prepared to enter court and Charles requested that his son would be taken immediately join the Imperial court, sending letters to his cousin, Duc de Guise, to ensure the boy's safety in court along with the rest of his family members.
Rieux would arrive to the Chateau de Boulougne where the court resided, he would be first welcomed by his cousins and later introduced by the Duchesse de Guise and Douairiere d'Angoulême to the rest of the court. He toured with them around the chateau, as he was later welcomed by Henri de Guise and Cardinal de Guise (Lorraine). He was often fairly quiet and shy, as described by some courtiers who saw him, but having a courteous behavior and starting to make good relationships with some nobles of the court. Many courtiers in the Empereur's court could see a bright future ahead of the young Rieux. They continued to educate the lad in many things, and continued to expand his intellect even further and still further until the young Elbeuf came of age and was finally ready to take on the world.
==== Court Life ====
In court, Rieux impressed many of his fellow courtiers with his clear thinking, sharp intellect, and calm nature. He even impressed some of the Empire's greatest military strategists and tacticians by presenting some of his strategies he could use in battle. He went on to meet many new, famous, or familiar court faces, some whom he would lead or accompany in the upcoming Thirty Years' War; but most importantly, he made new friends. In 1618, he was given the governorship of the province of Orleans, and later, while on the Swedish Front in 1634, Lieutenant General de Normandie. Under his leadership, both provinces continued to flourish and prosper. Although there were some problems at court, he was considered the perfect courtier, with a clear mind, very sharp intellect, with a friendly and chivalrous personality. He was given a position in the Empereur's court as the Premiere Gentilhomme de la Chambre, or First Gentleman of the House. 
 
====Marriage==== 
In 1610, he married Diane de Lorraine-Guise-Aumale, a beautiful woman and a charming one at that. The wedding ceremony was attended by many courtiers and family members. Elbeuf and Diane's marriage was a happy and blessed one, with the latter giving birth to four healthy and happy children. When they were later presented to court at young ages, they were described as very happy and excited, sometimes a bit shy. The eldest of the children, Charles de Guise-Elbeuf, accompanied his father in the Thirty Years' War, serving as a very successful cavalry officer in Elbeuf's army. The youger Charles succeeded his father in 1647 after the former's death, but died a few months later of the Plague.                                                                                                        
 
====Court Reputation==== 
Elbeuf is well loved by many in court, even by the famous and powerful Duc de Guise, who saw him as a "rising star" in court, and was among those who were impressed by Charles' cunning and decisive strategies. Charles soon befriended the elderly Duc and often practiced and studied carefully many tactics and strategies used over the years, and came up with many strategies that were combinations of other tactics, or inspired ones. Elbeuf was also Captain-General of the Galleys, meaning he had a naval position as well as an army one. He had other military posts such as Master of Camp in Second, and also Captain of the 100 lances. He was also a Knight of the Order of the Holy Spirit, the highest honor in the Empire, until his death.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
 
====Empire in Chaos====
In 1638, after serving another tour of duty in the Thirty Years' War, he returned to Grandelumiere, only to find it in chaos, much to his surprise and amazement. While he was away on campaign, the Empereur, Charles X & II, the same Charles who had promoted him to Marechal many years before, had been poisoned, as many believed, at the age of 29, and died the next day. Immediately, the throne was passed to Charles' 2-year-old son, Henri III, with Charles X's former wife, Nicole de Lorraine, as regent. Great mourning was announced all over the Empire, despite the emperor's reputation as a homosexual and hedonist. Elbeuf wasn't present for the couvert in which the poisoning took place since he was away on campaign, defeating more Protestant forces, but he was present for the funeral which took place a few weeks after the Empereur's sudden death. Afterward, he went to continue his governorship of the continually flourishing and prospering provinces, but would be forced to return to military service to quell revolts and uprisings across the Empire following the execution of the Emperor's assassin.                                                                                                                                                                            
 
====Duchy's Prosperity====
 
Despite the many problems across the Empire, the Elbeuf duchy continued to prosper, with harvests succeeding very well, harvesting much delicious food, vegetables, fruits, drinks, and more; some of which would be used for future banquets and feasts. The population grew from a mere 20,000 people to a great whopping 400,000 happy people by the end of Charles' tenure, becoming one of the Empire's largest duchies, alongside that of Burgundy, Lorraine, Orleans, Guise, and Orleans. Technology also began to boom, with some being used for hard-to-do stuff. In all, things went very well for the Elbeuf duchy.
=== Military Career ===
 
====Camp Rules and Policies==== 
Elbeuf was as strict as he was kind in the military. He wanted his soldiers to be an example to other armies in Grandelumiere's army. He strictly prohibited the following: drinking, drunken brawls, stealing, desertion, gossip, stealing, lying, murder, or any others. Any crimes including desertion, stealing, and murder were punishable by death. All others were subject to 40 lashes. And the soldiers obeyed all the laws. They dared not risk their loves (or the skin of their backs) to disobey such laws. And by the time they came home, they were changed soldiers. They never drank again, they never stole again, they never cheated again. They were really changed. Elbeuf's rules were admitted not just in the Grandelumerian military, but internationally as well, with some rules even still in effect to this day.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
====Thirty Years' War==== 
At the outbreak of the Thirty Years' War in 1618, the Empire joined the fighting on the Catholic side, as it was part of the Catholic League and eager to help its allies and crush the heretical threat. The Duc was also in the fighting as well, having been promoted to the rank of Marechal by the Emperor himself. At that time, Charles was the only Marechal in the whole Empire, until the elevation of Jean-Louis de Rochehouart to the Marechal's position as well, serving at the Scottish front as the English, who were Anglican, were invading Catholic Scotland.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Anyways, about Elbeuf, he proved himself more than worthy of his title as Marechal by crushing the Swedes at many battles on the Swedish front, who stood no chance against the Duc and his very superior strategies. Using superior battle tactics and strategies, he defeated his enemies with relative ease, with the exceptions of the Swedish King, Gustav Adolf II, better known in history as Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden and one of the greatest generals in history, and Lennart Tortensson, a former Swedish artillery commander and Marshal of Sweden. Elbeuf's greatest victories, however, were at the Battle of Luetzen, a battle in which he assisted the great Albrecht von Wallenstein (who secretly wanted to defect to the Protestant side but was assassinated before he could do so) to defeat and even kill the Swedish King, and the Battle of Nordlingen, assisting two princes of the Spanish Empire to finally defeat the Swedish offensive in the South.                                                                                                                                                                                                    His prowess, bold and unique strategies, and decisive victories against the Swedes caused the Swedish front to collapse, forcing them to fall back to their native homeland, defeated, and most of their leadership dead or wounded. Elbeuf's offensive was discovered to have done better than the many other offensives across Germany. Charles de Guise's expedition had done quite well, but not as well as Elbeuf's. Some military leaders and courtiers in Guise's expedition had either been killed, wounded, or died of wounds. Nevertheless, with Gustavus' death at Luetzen in 1632, the tide began to turn in favor of the Catholic League. And it was mostly thanks to Elbeuf's campaign against Sweden.                                                                                                                                                                                                      When Elbeuf heard news of the Duc de Guise's operations and how they were doing, he quickly rushed his army to reinforce the Guise expedition. The expedition, whose morale was low before they heard of Elbeuf's victories, had initiated a counterattack after hearing the very good news. Elbeuf arrived just as the counterattack began, and quickly initiated a flanking attack. Whithin minutes, the whole Protestant line collapsed, and retreated in disarray. This decisive but costly victory put an end to any Protestant threats in the meantime. Elbeuf was shocked at the history of the expedition: the bloody battles, the very bloody Siege of Heilbronn, the lost nobles, Dukes and counts, and many others. Guise himself was surprised to see that Elbeuf had already won the Swedish front with very few casualties, and his front just halfway to the finish line with heaps of bodies at each battlefield. Guise personally congratulated Elbeuf and even commisioned a statue of him in his honor. Elbeuf had won every single battle he fought, despite some setbacks.                                                                                                                                                                                                          Upon returning to Grandelumiere, Elbeuf, his reputation, which was already high, skyrocketed even higher upwards. He was congratulated and given many parades and banquets in the Empire in his honor, and given thanks by the Pope himself, who struck a Te Deum in his honor, saying that "he had defeated the heretics in service of God, the Catholic Religion, and for his country." Today, he is considered one of the greatest generals in history, alongside Napoleon, Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, and many others.
====Unrest in the Empire====
In 1640, after a series of trials and investigations, the assassin of the late Empereur, Charles X & II, Geoffery Arnauld, was sentenced to death and executed by beheading immediately after the trial. This event, however, resulted in many uprisings and revolts across Grandelumiere, as Charles X was greatly hated by the people and were glad to see him dead. The people had demanded the release of the assassin, but after his execution, it was the final straw. 
 
Soon, the riots and uprisings became so many that there was fear of revolution. Elbeuf, who was still managing his duchy and experiencing revolts himself, was recalled to quell the revolts with help from the army. At first, the Duc was reluctant, having no desire to kill his own countrymen; but, realizing that a peaceful Empire was better than a tumultuous one, Elbeuf would don his armor, his Imperial insignia, and his Marechal's sash one last time to fight the revolutionaries in service to the Empire. 
 
In 1644, Paris' prison, the Bastille, would be stormed by rioters which would ransack it and grab its weapons which would be used against the Louvre. Although Elbeuf himself was not present, he helped organize the flight from the Louvre, in which the courtiers and nobles were transported in mail carriages to the Chateau de Blois, and later Chenonceau. 
 
Elbeuf would assist the Comte de Clermont in retaking the fallen capital of Paris with their combined armies. Nine companies of the Regiment of Normandie and Champagne camped outside the walls of Paris, the Gendarmes de l'Empereur and du Dauphin, as well as the 1st company of the Garde des Ecossaises were brought forward. The army, led by Clermont and Elbeuf, would secure the Bastille and Temple, moving the court temporarily into the fort for protection.
 
== The Plague (1640-1647) == 
In 1640, an epidemic spread throughout the Empire, known far and wide as "The Plague". Ravaging through Grandelumiere, it destroyed crops, farms, harvests, and families. All across the Empire and Europe, millions died, making it one of the most deadly and infectious diseases in history. This Plague would be one of the Duc's greatest challenges during his tenure, and he would need all the help he could to fight it. Some time before the Plague, he had heard reports of a brewing disease somewhere in Europe. Elbeuf would take these matters seriously and would immediately begin to prepare for the deadly disease. At first, many of his fellow dukes, counts, and marquises thought he was crazy preparing for a small plague. However, they would see that Elbeuf was right in preparing for the Plague when it was too late. Elbeuf decided to help the others survive, and began trading and sending medical advice to other duchies, counties, and marquisiates. 
====Food problems====
Unfortunately, the Plague also destroyed crops and harvests, which was a huge blow to the Elbeuf duchy, which had become famous for its delicious and unique foods. Elbeuf saw this, and quickly began research on how to make the crops survive the Plague. After finding some methods that worked, Elbeuf began to rapidly distribute them to the general public, which he had ordered to distance themselves so as not to easily catch the Plague. The methods Elbeuf used worked, and soon, crops began to spring again. Elbeuf continued to trade with the others, and helped others survive. Sadly, across the Empire, hundreds of thousands or even millions died, making the Plague a dark stain on Grandelumiere's history. 
 
Although the Plague still continues to ravage the lands, Elbeuf's close cooperation with the others and good handling of the situation earned him more prestige and good reputation, which lasted until his untimely death in 1647. 
 
==Death in 1647== 
In 1647, Elbeuf returned to his home feeling greatly unwell. He took himself to his bed to rest, hoping that he would feel better when he woke up. When he did, he was worse. He then realized, to his immense shock and sadness, that he had caught the Plague, and that his health would come very soon. A few months later, it did. On December 14, 1647, surrounded by his loyal, kind, and loving wife, his sweet children and grandchildren, his relatives, and many others, Charles II de Guise, Duc d'Elbeuf, passed away at the age of 51. His funeral was held days later. 
 
Elbeuf's son, the Duc de Chevreuse, was proclaimed Charles III, Duc d'Elbeuf a few days later, but didn't last long, dying a few months later to the Plague. Soon, with the death of Charles' grandchildren and male children, the entirety of the male line of the Elbeuf branch was completely extinct, and the survival of the branch rested on the females. 
 
====Legacy==== 
Elbeuf was known after his death as a noble ruler, a chivalrous soldier, and brilliant tactician. He was also known as a benevolent ruler and good family man, being gentle to his children and educating them properly, as well as spending many happy moments together. Grandelumiere was saddened by the loss of their great Duc and Marechal, and a state funeral was held for the late Duc. With the male line of the Elbeuf branch extinct, the female branch took over, with the eldest daughter, Marie Marguerite, becoming Duchess.
 
Under Charles' 40-year rule, the Elbeuf duchy had greatly prospered, and its population had skyrocketed upwards, with crops producing great quantities of food and drink, and the population itself being warm to others. Elbeuf's piety was considered one of the many examples of a model Guise, and many churches and monasteries being built all over the growing duchy. 
 
Elbeuf was greatly respected by all classes of people in the Empire, and Elbeuf was respectful to them in return. He was benevolent, kind and loving; fair, open-minded, and intelligent. A great theologian, commander, and leader, and chivalrous, and many loved him. Elbeuf's death was a great blow to Grandelumiere, and he was given many memorials in his honor.
 Category:House of Guise
Category:Grandelumièrian Nobility
Category:Grandelumièrian Dukes
Category:16th Century Births
Category:Imperial Courtiers
Category:Grandelumièrian Military Officers
Category:Gouverneurs
Category:Maréchaux Grandelumièrienne