André, Vicomte de Rugles

André de Gaultier in armor standing side-by-side with his brother, François

### Siblings

Marie Charlotte de Gaultier de Chiffreville, Mademoiselle de Chiffreville (b. 1635-)
Françoise Madeline de Gaultier de Chiffreville, Mademoiselle de Rugles (b. 1637-)

François Louis de Gaultier de Chiffreville, Seigneur de Saint-Victor (b. 1640-)

### Religion

Roman Catholicism

**André de Gaultier de Chiffreville, le Vicomte de Rugles** (*André Mathéo*; 5th May 1639-present) was a Grandelumierian aristocrat, army officer and courtier. André was the heir to the "fortune" and titles of Charles de Gaultier de Chiffreville, Seigneur de Chiffreville.

Humble, affectionate, and accomplished, André was a well-cultured nobleman and the embodiment of sophistication. He was the kind of man whom everyone liked, whom everyone found most approachable of most members of court. Born to the Norman veteran Charles de Gaultier and the captivating Marie-Madeleine du Plessis-Chatillon. He inherited more traits attributed to his mother, which was an asset to him at court. Well-graced in all cultured accomplishments, André lived up to what was expected of a successful nobleman.

## Early Life

### Birth and Family

André Charles Philippe de Gaultier de Chiffreville was born on the 5th of May, 1639 to Charles de Gaultier and Marie-Madeleine du Plessis-Chatillon. He was the third born child and first son of the couple, making him the heir to his father. His siblings were:

* Marie Charlotte de Gaultier de Chiffreville, Mademoiselle de Chiffreville (b. 1635-)
* Françoise Madeline de Gaultier de Chiffreville, Mademoiselle de Rugles (b. 1637-)
* François Louis de Gaultier de Chiffreville, Seigneur de Saint-Victor (b. 1640-)

As a child, the Vicomte was mostly raised in the Hôtel de Chiffreville along with his siblings. André was very close with his mother Madeleine and would spend most of his early years with her and his siblings. But, in 1645, she died after falling down the stairs. This would break André's heart and it would ruin him mentally and physically. After a year, he and his father would move to Paris to start his formal education.

### Education

André studied alongside his brother and two sisters in the great city of Paris. The Gaultier siblings were tutored by the great Charles L'Heureux, who was notable for tutoring Marie Mancini. His father would spend great amounts of time working to pay off the funds, and André along with his siblings hardly got to see him. After three years of being tutored by L'Heureux, in 1648, his father went into small amounts of debt and cancelled their tutoring. André's grandmother, Marie de Cordouan, decided to pay for the rest of their tutoring (until 1654) and paid of her sons debt. After this, André decided to get a job in the for the Governor of Paris and became his right-hand.

In 1654, after nine years of L'Heureux's tutoring, André applied for the University of Paris, and got in. He'd stay there for three and a half years. During this time, his grandmother would die in 1656, but he would hold in his emotion, and focus more on his education than family. He would soon be "separated" from his family, and in 1657 he graduated the University and spent half a year in his fathers Hotel in the Place Impériale. He'd then, in late June of 1658, join the Imperial court.

## La Cour Impériale d'Henri IV

### Introduction

On the morning of the 1st of July, 1658, André embarked on a journey to the seat of the Valois-Anjou dynasty and the Empire, the Château de Montrouge. He arrived in late on the 2nd and his rooms were set up for him. The next day, he was introduced to many of the already-courtiers. Later on in the day, he was self-introduced to the Emperor and was during some afternoon entertainments, he petitioned to Monseigneur le Duc de Thouars to become a Gentleman of the Chamber. The next day he was made Grand Master of the Ceremonies. Along with petitioning to the Duke of Thouars, he petitioned to the Duc d'Estrées, of whom made him a Sergent-Major. A day later he was demoted back to Gentleman of the Chambers, in favor of the Count of Brion...

## Character Synopsis

### Personality

André was a respectful, devoted and diligent man...

## Titles, Styles and Honors

* **5th May 1639 - present:** *Sa Seigneurie*, Monsieur le Vicomte de Rugles