Jean Louis de Nogaret de La Valette

Who was Jean Louis de Nogaret de La Valette?

Jean Louis de Nogaret de La Valette, created Duke of Épernon, was a powerful member of the French nobility at the turn of the 17th century. He was deeply involved in plots and politics throughout his life.

He was born at Caumont in Languedoc, the son of Jean de Nogaret de La Valette and Jeanne de Saint-Lary de Bellegarde. His father and grandfather being both military men, it was natural that young Jean Louis would choose a soldier's life. He fought on the Catholic side in the French Wars of Religion; at the Siege of La Rochelle, he first came to the notice of the duc d'Anjou, the future Henry III of France.

By December 1578, Nogaret had been accepted into Henri's most intimate circle of favourites, Les Mignons. In 1581, Henry sold him the town of Épernon, at the same time raising it to the rank of a duchy thus creating Nogaret the first duc d'Épernon. The new duke of Épernon was highly favored by Henry, who showered titles upon him, among them maître de camp of the Champagne regiment, Governor of Fère, Colonel-general of the infantry, First Gentleman of the King's Chamber, Chevalier de l’Ordre du Saint-Esprit, Governor of Boulonnais, Loches, Lyon, Metz and its surrounding areas, Chevalier des Ordres du roi, and Governor of Provence. At the death of the duc de Joyeuse he was awarded the titles of Admiral of France, Governor of Normandy, of Caen, and of Le Havre.