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Cardinal Richelieu Cardinal Richelieu was born Armand Jean du Plessis in Paris in September of 1585. The name Richelieu came from the name of his family's estate. The du Plessis' were considered minor nobility and Armand's grandfather, Louis, secured their place in court through marriage to Francoise de Rochechouart, an important family at the time. Louis died young and left five sons, the second oldest of whom, Francois, was Richelieu's father. Francois also died young, leaving …

…man. To retain his authority he needed to be a master of intrigue and manipulation. His tireless energy helped in this, but it took it's toll on his health. He died on December 4, 1642 in the Palais Royal. He left the Palais to the king but Louis followed him to the grave five months later. It was now up to the new Regent and Mazarin, a protege of Richelieu's to keep up what Richelieu laid down.