Urbain de Maillé-Brézé

Who was Urbain de Maillé-Brézé?

Urbain de Maillé-Brézé, was a Marshal of France during the Thirty Years' War and Franco-Spanish War.

He was married to Nicole du Plessis-Richelieu, sister of cardinal Richelieu.

Urbain de Maillé-Brézé had a brilliant career. He was ambassador in Sweden in 1631, Marshal of France in 1632 and viceroy of Catalonia in 1641.

Urbain de Maillé-Brézé fought in many battles. He participated in the Siege of La Rochelle. In 1635 he conquered Heidelberg and Speyer, together with Jacques-Nompar de Caumont, duc de la Force, at the head of the Army of Germany.

In 1635 he was put, together with Gaspard III de Coligny, at the head of the French army that invaded Flanders. They victorious at the Battle of Les Avins against the Spanish, but the Siege of Leuven was a complete failure.

In 1641, together with duc de la Meilleraye, he conquered Lens in 3 days, Aire-sur-la-Lys and Bapaume.

After these successes Maillé-Brézé was made Viceroy of newly conquered Catalonia. He attempted to drive the Spanish from Collioure, Perpignan and Sainte-Marie, but failed. In May 1642 he was replaced and retired from active duty to spend the rest of his life in his castle in Milly-le-Meugon.