LAUZUN, ANTONIN NOMPAR DE CAUMOET, Due de, 1633-1743 ; b. France; a notorious adventurer and a favorite for a time of Louis X1V. Born a poor noblenian in Gascony, he possessed all the peculiar Gascon traits of energy, shrewdness, unbounded effrontery, and recklessness. He was courtly in his manners, witty, and attractive to the fair sex. His exploits and adventures were romantic; though many of them, resting on no broader foundation of testimony than his own word, have been judged apocryphal by historians on the ground of the boastful and mendacious character of their alleged hero. Appointed by the king governor of Berri, and mareschal de camp, and promised the grade of grand master of artillery, Lauzun was sufficiently indiscreet to boast of the favors of Louis, a course which speedily placed him in disgrace. He was committed to the Basilic by order. of the king, but the latter soon repented his severity, and Lauzun was restored to favor, being even promised the Land in marriage of Mlle. de Montpensier, grand
daughter of Henry IV. This marriage was prevented. however, by court intrigues; and to reconcile hint to the disappointment the king made Lauzun commander of the French army in Flanders. It has been asserted by some contemporary writers that this marriage was actually though secretly effected. Lauzun was at length so unfortunate as to offend Mine. de Montespan, at the time all-powerful with the king, and, through her influence, he was again cast into prison, and this time to remain for several years. Be filially gained his liberty, as is stated, through the intercession of Mlle. de Montpensier; and, repairing to England in 1688, was commissioned by James II. to escort the queen and her infant son to France on the outbreak of the revolution. Lauzun, in 1695, at the age of 62, married Mlle. de Durford, a girl of 16 years, Mlle. de Montpensier having died two years before.