(:ASTON JEAN BAPTISTE, Duke of Orleans (1603-60), best known for his talents in con spiracy. Ile was the third son of Henry IV. of France and of Nlaria de' Medici. and was born at Fontainebleau. April 25, 1608, being known after 1611 as Monsieur. In 1620 he was made Duke of Orleans, and married Mary of Bourbon, Duchess of Montpensier, the richest heiress in France. In the same year he was involved in the conspiracy of Chalais against Richelieu (q.v.), and basely abandoned his accomplice to his fate. Ile never ceased. however, to intrigue against the great Minister, and in 1632 raised Languedoc against the king with the aid of the de Montmorency. Ile deserted the latter at the battle of Castelnaudary (September 30, 1032), and made his peace with the Court, while Mont morency suffered torture and death. In 1636 he plotted with the Count of Soissons against the life of Richelieu. but his cowardice led to the dis covery of the conspiracy, and Gaston purchased peace at the expense of his accomplices. lie was concerned in the conspiracy of Cinq-"Mars (q.v.), but upon the arrest of the latter (June 13. 1642) submitted and pleaded for pardon. He became Lieutenant-General of the Kingdom after the death of Louis XIII.. and served with credit against Spain. During the Fronde (q.v.) he changed from the Court to the Parlement and to and in July, 1652. was named by the Par lenient Lieutenant-General. With the triumph of Mazarin his political activity came to an end. and he spent the last year of hi life in retire ment at Blois. By his first wife, who died the year after their marriage. he was the father of the celebrated Grande :11ademoiselle, Anne Marie Louise, Duchess of Mnntpensier (q.v.).
The title of Duke of Orleans was next borne by PHILIPPE, brother of Louis XIV. (1040-1701). the founder of the existing House of Orleans. who had two daughters by his first wife, Henri etta Anne of England, and a son and (laughter by his second wife, Elizabeth. daughter of the Elector Palatine. The son, PHILIPPE. Duke of Orleans (1674-1723), was Regent of France dur ing the minority of Louis XV. He possessed ex cellent talents, but his youth was passed in un bridled dissipation. Louis XIV. compelled him to marry his daughter, 3ladeinoiselle de Blois, by 3ladame de Montespan (q.v.), He dis
played great personal courage and military talent during the War of the Spanish Succession in Holland, Italy. and Spain: but his presence in Madrid after victories (170s) was regarded with apprehension both by Philip V. and by Louis XIV. In of this. he lived for some years in retirement from the Court. spending his time in debauchery and in the study and prac tice of the fine arts and of chemistry. Louis XIV., having legitimized the Duke of Maine and the Count of Toulouse, his sons by Madame de Montespan, appointed the Duke of Orleans presi dent of the regency. but gave the guardianship of his heir and the command of the household troops to the Duke of Maine: but all this was set aside at his death, and the Duke of Orleans be came sole Regent in 1715. He was popular. and his first measures increased hi, popularity; but the financial affairs of the kingdom were per plexing, and the Regent's adoption 01 the schemes of John Law (q.v.) led to disastrous results. (See MISSISSIPPI SCHEME.) He formed an alliance with England and Holland in 1717. and expelled the Stuarts from France. In the same year he held the celebrated lit de justice. in which be pro hibited the Parlenient of Paris from meddling with financial or political affairs. and declared the legitimized of Louis XIV. incapable of suc ceeding to the throne. His old tutor Dubois (q.v.), who still possessed an unhappy influence over his former pupil. became Prime Minister, and prac tically ruler of France; the Regent. who was really a man of high abilities, neglecting all duties and pursuing a course of profligacy per haps unequaled in history. At the insti gation of Dubois, the Regent sacrificed the Jan senists and compelled the Parlement in 1722 to recognize the bull )See JANSEN ISM.) After the coronation of Louis XV.. Feb ruary 15, 1723, and the death of Cardinal Dubois in August of the same year. the Duke r,(f Orleans, although disliking public affairs, consented to become Prime Minister, but he held office for only a few months, dying December 2, 1723. a victim of his incessant debauchery. He was suc ceeded by his son Louis (1703-52). who was fol lowed by his son, Louis Philippe (172:5-S5).