Louis III, Cardinal of Guise

Louis III de Lorraine was the third son of Henry I, Duke of Guise and Catherine of Cleves. He was born on January 22, 1575 in Lorraine, France. He was a member of the House of Guise, a powerful and influential family that played a prominent role in French politics and religion during the 16th and 17th centuries. Louis was never ordained as a priest, but he was appointed as the coadjutor archbishop of Reims in 1601 and succeeded his uncle Philippe du Bec as the archbishop of Reims in 1605. He was also the abbot of Cluny from 1612 to 1621. He was created cardinal by Pope Paul V on December 2, 1615 and became known as the Cardinal de Guise. He was involved in various diplomatic missions and intrigues on behalf of his family and the Catholic League. He supported the claims of his cousin Charles de Lorraine, Duke of Mayenne to the throne of France against Henry IV and later Louis XIII. He also opposed the Protestant Huguenots and participated in the siege of Montauban in 1621. He fell ill with scarlet fever during the siege and died on June 21, 1621 in Saintes. He was buried in the church of Saint-Pallais. He had a secret marriage with Charlotte des Essarts, a former mistress of Henry IV, and had five children with her. His eldest son Charles Louis became the bishop of Condom and his second son Achille became the prince of Guise and the count of Romorantin. His daughter Charlotte became the abbess of St. Pierre in Lyon and his daughter Louise married Claude Pot, lord of Rhodes. His youngest son Henri Hector died young. Louis III de Lorraine was the last cardinal of the House of Guise. He was a controversial figure who lived a dissipated life and incurred the displeasure of the kings of France. He was also a patron of arts and letters and supported many writers and scholars. He left no lasting traces in history except for his name and his family connections.