Fireback With The Arms Of René III De Froulay (79x80 Cm)

Reissue of a fireback, with lowered upper angles, with the arms of René III de Froulay (1648 or 1650-1725), count of Tessé, baron of Froulay, d'Ambières and de Vernie, marshal of France, grand d' Spain, general of the galleys, first squire to Madame la Dauphine, he married Marie Françoise Auber d'Aunaie, founder of the royal abbey of Notre-Dame-d'Aunay in Normandy. From 1680 he became lieutenant general in the government of Maine, Perche and the country of Laval, his brilliant military career earned him the appointment of Knight of the Order of the Holy Spirit on December 31, 1688. René III de Froulay served as aide-de-camp Marshal de Créquy in 1669 then fought during the Dutch war. When the Edict of Nantes was revoked in 1685, he was put in charge of dragonnades in the Principality of Orange. In 1686 he was commander-in-chief in Languedoc and Dauphiné. He obtained the rank of maréchal de camp in 1688 then colonel general of the dragoons in 1692, succeeding Louis François de Bouffiers. Between 1693 and 1696 he held secret talks with Victor Amadeus II of Savoy which led to the Treaty of Turin (August 20, 1696), and the marriage of the Duke of Burgundy with Marie Adelaide of Savoy. During the War of the Spanish Succession in 1702 he defended the besieged Mantua. He obtained the distinction of marshal of France in 1703 and was appointed general-in-chief of the armies of Spain the following year, replacing Berwick. In 1708 he was appointed ambassador to Rome, then in 1723 to Spain, where he persuaded the former King Philip V of Spain to return to the throne, his son and successor, Louis I of Spain having just died. René de Froulay resigned the following year from his position as ambassador in favor of his son. In 1712 René de Froulay was appointed general of the galleys, a charge from which he resigned in 1716 to join the council of the Navy. Coat of arms: Argent with saltire Gules indented bordering Sable. Count's crown and crest of a leopard's head, collars of the King's Orders (Saint Michael and of the Holy Spirit), supports: two lions. This plate comes from Clécy (Calvados). Its weight is 160 kg. Bibliography: Similar plate published in PALASI P., heraldic firebacks, Gourcuff Gradenigo, Paris, page 182 N° 333. You can visit our site: www.claudeaugustin.com