Armand de Gramont, Comte de Guiche

Who was Armand de Gramont, Comte de Guiche?

Guy Armand de Gramont, Count of Guiche was a French nobleman, adventurer, and one of the greatest playboys of the 17th century.

He was the son of Marshal Antoine III de Gramont and Françoise-Marguerite du Plessis de Chivré, Richelieu's niece. His sister was Catherine Charlotte, Princess of Monaco and one time mistress of Louis XIV of France.

Armand was bisexual. He was part of the entourage of Philippe de France, who was homosexual, where many reckoned him the handsomest man at court. He was known for being vain, overbearing, and somewhat contemptuous, but many lovers of both sexes often overlooked these flaws. It is generally accepted that he became the lover of Princess Henrietta of England, but for a time he also paid court to Louise de La Vallière.

Guiche was, however, not sufficiently enamored with Louise to challenge King Louis XIV's affections for her. He was exiled in 1662 for conspiring with the jealous Henriette, Duchess of Orleans to drive a wedge between Louis XIV and Louise.

He then fought against the Turks for Poland, against the English for the Dutch, and eventually returned to France in 1669.

He returned to court in 1671. In 1672, he joined Louis XIV and the Great Condé in the Franco-Dutch war and covered himself in glory when he swam across the Rhine, and the whole army followed his example.