François Louis de Rousselet, Marquis de Châteaurenault

Who was François Louis de Rousselet, Marquis de Châteaurenault?

François Louis de Rousselet, marquis de Châteaurenault was a French vice-admiral, maréchal, and nobleman.

In his youth, he fought in the Battle of the Dunes against the Spanish. In 1661 he joined the French navy and distinguished himself in the conquest of Jijel under François de Vendôme, duc de Beaufort.

In 1672 he became captain of his own ship and fought in the Mediterranean against the pirates from Salé. In 1673 he led a squadron in the North Sea and fought Michiel de Ruyter in 1675. In 1677, along the Spanish coast and with only six ships, he withstood an attack by a fleet of 25 Dutch ships under Cornelis Evertsen the younger.

During the War of the Grand Alliance, he landed a French army in Ireland after beating Admiral Herbert in the Battle of Bantry Bay. One year later, after the failure of this expedition, he evacuated the French army as well as 18.000 Irish.

He then fought in the naval Battle of Beachy Head and the Battle of Lagos.

He was made vice-admiral in 1701, and commanded the French fleet during the Battle of Vigo Bay. His flagship was La Forte, which was burnt during the battle.