LA. MOUE, FRANcOIS DE, called Bias DE FEE (arm of iron). 1531-91; of an illus trious family in Bretagne; became a conspicuous defender of the Protestants of France. When Henry IV. heard of his death be made this memorable compliment to his memory: " He was a great warrior, and still greater in goodness. One cannot but regret that to gain a little fortress one should lose Such a captain—worth more than a whole province." Educated in arms, La None was placed at the court of Henry II. at the age of 18, where he evinced more respect for learning than for military exercises, and set to improving the system of court training. He became a Protestant through the influence of d'_kndelot, and after the massacre of gassy joined the great Conde; was in the battle of Dreux, where Conde was made prisoner, and assis'ed Coligny in conducting a ntreat. Ile was afterwards under Conde, and gained that reputation for bravery, prudence, and humanity combined. which led even the Roman Catholics of that time to ,rive him the name of the Protestant Bayard. In 1570 lie lost his left arm in battle and had its place tiled with an iron one—hence his sobriquet. In 1570, when peace between the Romanists and Prot estants was declared, La Noue was about to offer his services to Charles IX. when the
latter broke the treaty and again massacred Protestants, and the former escaped into Spain. The king sent for him to negotiate with the Protestant insurgents of Rochelle, whose distrust of the treacherous court made his mission futile, though lie succeeded in preventing further bloodshed at that time. They afterwards fought under him in the service of the king of Navarre. resisting the persecutions of the French king. In 1580 he was made captive by Philip II. of Spain, and remained for five years in prison, where he composed his DIWOUr8 politiques et militaires, which was translated into several lan guages, and placed him in the rank of great writers and statesmen. Philip II., during his captivity. kindly offered him freedom if he would consent to have his eves put out so that lie could not again serve against Spain. In 1586 he aided to defend Geneva against the duke of Savoy. Later, Henry III. of France permitted him to return to his own country. He immediately resumed command in the French army, and his military services were as brilliant and energetic as in youth. Died at the siege of Landialle.