Bassompierre, François, baron de
Bassompierre, François, baron de
(fräNswä` bärôN` də bäsôNpyĕr`), 1579–1646, marshal of France. Under King Henry IV he distinguished himself in the army and as a courtier, and after Henry's death he remained loyal to the queen, Marie de' Medici, during her regency. Subsequently he was ambassador to Spain, to England, and to Switzerland, and he fought against the HuguenotsHuguenots, French Protestants, followers of John Calvin. The term is derived from the German Eidgenossen, meaning sworn companions or confederates. Origins
Prior to Calvin's publication in 1536 of his Institutes of the Christian Religion,
..... Click the link for more information. in 1621–22 and 1627–28. Because of his opposition to Cardinal Richelieu and his alleged part in an intrigue he was imprisoned (1631) in the Bastille until after the cardinal's death (1643). During his captivity he wrote valuable memoirs.