Louis de Charmaine

**Louis Alexander Charles Jacques Jean de Charmaine** (July 27 1767-November 29 1803) was a French Noble, diplomat, and General best known for being the father of Charles X, Gustav V, Louis III, and Henry I.

For the majority of his life he served as a Military General and diplomat for the Kingdom of France. At age 22 he was made Lieutenant Colonel in 1789. As the French Revolution began he stayed in his home until 1796 when he joined under General Napoleon Bonaparte and fought. 12 years after his death, his eldest son became King of France and subsequently several of his other children, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren were given royal titles and married into royalty.

## Early Life

Louis de Charmaine was born in 1767 at his families estate just north of Paris. At the time of his birth he had one older sister, Maria born 1765. His Father, Charles (March 17th 1745-April 1st 1815) was a wealthy banker, minor noble, Grandson of Phillip V and Great Great Grandson of Louis XIV. Louis and Charles lost their title as Counts due to their ancestors actions but were given the namely title of Grace and small plots of land.

Louis followed in his fathers footsteps when he joined a Military Academy at Brienne-le-Château in 1776. He studied their until 16 when he graduated from the school. When he was 26, he married the 16 year old Princess Louise Marie *Adélaïde* Eugénie d'Orléans, brother to possible Candidate for the French Throne Louis Phillipe a few years later.

## French Revolution

When the Revolution began, Louis was 22 and had recently been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. Louis resided with his father and siblings in his home away from the revolution in order to keep his family safe from harm. In 1793 he married Princess Louisa Marie d'Orléans and stayed in his home. 3 years later, he joined his former friend General Napoleon Bonaparte in his campaign and fought with him. In 1799 as the revolution ended he continued to fight with Napoleon, becoming most loyal to him.

## War 1797-1803

Louis first fought with Napoleon in the Italian Campaign and scored many victories right beside Napoleon. His time in Italy was short, fighting for about a year before being sent to Egypt in 1798. His expedition lasted long as the two and their armies marched through Egypt and Syria. He fought in battles against the Mamluks, and several other battles against prime Egyptian states. Louis fought in the conquest of the coastal towns of Arish, Gaza, Jaffa, and Haifa. After this he soon attacked Jaffa and won. He then went with Napoleon as they retreated back into Egypt, using the few open moments of silence to board ships and sail back to France.

He participated in the Coup d'état of the French Government in 1799 and used the time to reside with his wife at home. He along with several others were welcomed home as heroes, and were greatly cherished by the populous. In 1800, he joined back with Napoleon to cross the alps into Italy. After a difficult cross of the alps the army entered into the valleys of northern Italy unopposed. He split north and met with the southern army at the Battle of Marengo. After a Victory in Italy and half a decade of fighting Louis went back home in 1802. Just a year later, in early January he was sent off to Saint-Domingue to reassert control. Louis contracted Yellow Fever, along with many other Frenchmen and was going to be sent to France for immediate recovery but their was nothing they could do. Louis died 7000km away from home, just 3 days before the French Army retreated.

## Children

Louis' marriage to Princess Louisa produced 7 children between 1797-1802; All survived into adulthood.

* Charles de Charmaine (16 February, 1797-1 July 1895) King of France, married Princess Charlotte of Prussia, daughter of Frederick William III in 1819
* Alexander de Charmaine (5 March, 1798-7 January 1867) King of Sweden and Norway, married Princess Sophie of Sweden, daughter of Gustav IV Adolf in 1817
* Jean de Charmaine (9 July, 1799-14 August 1850) King of the Netherlands, married Archduchess Clementina of Austria, daughter of HRE Francis I in 1820
* Henry de Charmaine (15 September, 1800-21 December, 1851) King-Protector of Egypt, married Anna Pavlovna of Russia, daughter of Paul I in 1818
* Alice de Charmaine (9 January, 1801-30 November, 1888) Married Prince Frederick of Prussia, third son of Frederick William III in 1821
* Louisa de Charmaine (9 January, 1801-15 October, 1877) Married Prince Frederick of the Netherlands, second son of William I in 1825
* Francis de Charmaine (6 June, 1802-17 May, 1863) Married Louisa Frederica in 1819.