House of La Rochefoucauld

Achievement of arms of the Dukes de La Rochefoucauld

The House of La Rochefoucauld is one of France's most ancient and illustrious noble families, with origins dating back to the 10th century. The family’s lineage begins with Foucauld I (fr) (973–1047), the first Lord of La Roche, later known as La Rochefoucauld (Roche + Foucauld), and possibly the son of Adémar de La Roche (fr) (also known as Amaury or Esmerin) (circa 952 – before 1037), Lord of La Roche. Over the centuries, the family rose in prominence, earning numerous titles and distinctions.

Overview

The title of Duke de La Rochefoucauld (French pronunciation: [la ʁɔʃfuko]) was created in 1622 when François V de La Rochefoucauld was elevated to the rank of duke by Louis XIII. Earlier titles held by the family included Baron (13th century) and Count (1528), the latter granted to François I de La Rochefoucauld, godfather of King François I. François V married Gabrielle du Plessis-Liancourt, daughter of Antoinette de Pons, and their son François VI became a leading figure of La Fronde and is celebrated as the author of the Maxims.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the family continued to ascend socially and politically. They were titled as Princes of Marcillac in the 16th century, while François VII, a close friend of Louis XIV, married Jeanne du Plessis-Liancourt. Their son, François VIII, became the Duke of La Roche-Guyon in 1679 and married Madeleine Le Tellier, the daughter of Louvois, prime minister to Louis XIV.

In the 18th century, the family acquired several additional titles, including Duke of Liancourt, Duke of Enville, and Duke of Estissac. François XII, an eminent philanthropist, is famously remembered for his statement to Louis XVI during the French Revolution: "Sir, it’s not a revolt; it’s a revolution." Over time, they also became the Prince de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel, Duke of Doudeauville, Duke of Estrées, and Duke of Bisaccia.

The La Rochefoucauld family held numerous other titles and roles, including Marquises of Montendre, Barbezieux, Surgères, Bayers, Count of Duretal, Roye, Roucy, and Baron de Verteuil. They were prominent in the Catholic Church, producing cardinals and bishops, and two family members, Pierre-Louis and François-Joseph, were massacred during the French Revolution and later beatified.

The family’s legacy extends beyond nobility, with members serving as ambassadors, generals, ministers, and heroes, including Robert de La Rochefoucauld, a WWII spy, and a UK field marshal. They also held prestigious positions such as Grand Hospitaller of the Order of Malta and founded notable clubs like the Jockey Club de Paris. Many were elevated in the Order of the Légion d'Honneur, and approximately 40 members have been, or still are, part of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

The family’s ancestral seat, the Château de La Rochefoucauld, has been in their possession since the 10th century. Additionally, the La Rochefoucauld-Montbel family owned the Lascaux caves at the time of their discovery and maintain ties to the Pellevoisin sanctuary, a site of Marian apparitions in France.

Origins of the name

Authors have advanced, but without evidence, that the first member of this family, Adémar, known as Amaury or Esmerin, by Viscounty of Limoges, or the son of the lord Hugh I of Lusignan. This latter hypothesis could be reinforced by the armorial bearings of the family. The work of André Debord leaves it to the house of Montbron in the 12th century.

The seigniory (lordship) of La Roche was originally a barony in the 13th century. The descendants of Foucauld I de La Roche and of Jarsande, united their name Foucauld.

Lords then Barons of La Rochefoucauld (10th–15th centuries)

1st House of La Rochefoucauld: Lords of La Roche

• Adémar de La Roche, (952–1037).
• Foucauld I de La Roche (978–1047) (son of preceding), Lord of La Rochefoucauld; married to Jarsande and had four children.
• Guy I de La Roche (son of preceding), Lord of La Rochefoucauld, founded in 1060 the priory of Saint-Florent de La Rochefoucauld.
• Guy II de La Roche (d. 1081) (son of preceding), Lord of La Rochefoucauld; married Eve and had three children.
• Guy III de La Roche (d. 1120) (son of preceding), Lord of La Rochefoucauld.
• Aymar de La Roche (d. 1140) (son of preceding), Lord of La Rochefoucauld and of Verteuil, led several wars against Wulgrin II, Count of Angoulême; married to Mathilde de Chabanais and had a daughter, Emma de La Rochefoucauld, who married Robert de Marthon, Lord of Marthon.

2nd House of La Rochefoucauld: Lords of Marthon

• Robert de Marthon, Lord of Marthon; married Emma de La Rochefoucauld (1140-1160) (daughter and heiress of Aymar de La Roche, Lord of La Rochefoucauld).
• Guy IV de La Rochefoucauld (son of preceding), took his mother's name and became Lord of La Rochefoucauld, Verteuil, Marthon, Blanzac. He took part in the wars against William, Count of Angoulême; married the daughter of Aimery, Viscount of Rochechouart, and had two children.
• Foucauld II de La Rochefoucauld (son of preceding), Lord of La Rochefoucauld, Verteuil, Blanzac, Marthon, he served in the army of the King Philip II Augustus and was made prisoner in 1198 at the Battle of Gisors. He was father of four children.
• Guy V de La Rochefoucauld (son of preceding), founded the Cordeliers Convent d'Angoulême in 1230.
• Aimery I de La Rochefoucauld (brother of preceding and son of Foucauld II), Lord of La Rochefoucauld in 1219, and of Verteuil, Count of la Marche (d. after 1250); married Létice de Parthenay and had five children.
• Guy VI de La Rochefoucauld (son of preceding), Lord of La Rochefoucauld, of Verteuil, of Marthon, of Saint Claud, of Saint Laurent, of Blanzac and of Cellefrouin (d. 1295), rallied to the cause of Hugues VII of Lusignan, Count of La Marche, against King Louis IX, retired to Grosbos Abbey; married Agnès de Rochechouart and had nine children.
• Aimery II de La Rochefoucauld (son of preceding), Baron of La Rochefoucauld, Lord of Verteuil, of Marthon, of Saint Claud, of Saint Laurent, of Blanzac, of Monteil and of Cellefrouin (c. 1265–1295); married Dauphine de La Tour-d'Auvergne in 1280, and had five children.
• Guy VII de La Rochefoucauld (d. 1356) (son of preceding), Baron of La Rochefoucauld, served King Philip V against the County of Flanders from 1317 to 1318, was excommunicated by Bishop Aiguelin de Blaye, was founder of the Couvent des Carmes de La Rochefoucauld in 1329, was killed next to the King Jean II of France at the Battle of Poitiers; married Agnès de Culant in 1309 and had nine children.
• Aimery III de La Rochefoucauld (d. 1362) (son of preceding), Baron of La Rochefoucauld (d. 1362), who served King Philippe VI in 1338; married Rogette de Grailly.
• Guy VIII de La Rochefoucauld (son of preceding), Baron of La Rochefoucauld, governor of l'Angoumois, Councillor and Grand Chamberlain of France of Kings Charles V, Charles VI and of Philip II of Burgundy, he acquired the lands of Marcillac and Montignac; married (1) Jeanne de Luxembourg, and (2) Marguerite de Craon and had eight children.
• Foucauld III de La Rochefoucauld (d. 1467) (son of preceding), Baron of La Rochefoucauld, Councillor, chamberlain of King Charles VII, participated in the Siege of Fronsac, rescued King Charles VII at the battle of Castillon (which marked the end of the Hundred Years War); married Jeanne de Rochechouart.
• Jean I de La Rochefoucauld (d. 1471) (son of preceding), Baron of La Rochefoucauld, Marthon, Blanzac, Bayers, Montignac, Marcillac, Councillor and Grand Chamberlain of France for Kings Louis XI and Charles VIII, and governor of Bayonne; married his cousin Marguerite de La Rochefoucauld, Lady of Barbezieux and Montendre.

Counts of La Rochefoucauld (and Princes of Marcillac) (16th century)

In April 1528, King Francis I gave his godfather, François I de La Rochefoucauld (son of Jean I de La Rochefoucauld), the title of Count of La Rochefoucauld (French: Comte de La Rochefoucauld).

• François I de La Rochefoucauld (1450–1516) (son of preceding), Count of La Rochefoucauld, Chambellan of Kings Charles VIII and Louis XII; married Louise de Crussol.
• François II de La Rochefoucauld (1494–1533) (son of preceding), Count of La Rochefoucauld, Prince of Marcillac, Baron of Verteuil; married Anne de Polignac in 1518.
• François III de La Rochefoucauld (1521–1572) (son of preceding), Count of La Rochefoucauld, Prince of Marcillac, Count of Roucy, Baron of Verteuil, he was killed at the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre; married (1) Sylvie Pic de la Mirandole, and (2) Charlotte de Roye (d. 1571), Countess of Roucy (sister-in-law to Louis I de Bourbon-Condé).
• François IV de La Rochefoucauld (1554–1591) (son of preceding), Count of La Rochefoucauld, Prince of Marcillac, Baron of Verteuil, a Protestant, he was killed at Saint-Yrieix by the Catholic League; married Claude d'Estissac in 1587.

Dukes of La Rochefoucauld (17th–21st centuries)

The Duchesse de la Rochefoucauld (née Mattie Elizabeth Mitchell)

François VI de La Rochefoucauld

Elder branch

On 22 April 1622, King Louis XIII raised the Count of La Rochefoucauld into a Duchy-peerage as the Duke of La Rochefoucauld (French: Duc de La Rochefoucauld).

• François V de La Rochefoucauld (1588–1650) (son of preceding), 1st Duke of La Rochefoucauld, he married Gabrielle du Plessis-Liancourt in 1611.
• François VI de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680) (son of preceding), 2nd Duke of La Rochefoucauld, Prince of Marcillac, moralist writer (Maximes, Mémoires) who wrote a history of the Fronde; he married Andrée de Vivonne in 1628.
• François VII de La Rochefoucauld (1634–1714) (son of preceding), 3rd Duke of La Rochefoucauld, Prince of Marcillac, Grand veneur de France; married his cousin Jeanne du Plessis-Liancourt (granddaughter and heiress of the last Duke of La Roche-Guyon).
• François VIII de La Rochefoucauld (1663–1728) (son of preceding), 4th Duke of La Rochefoucauld, 1st Duke of La Roche-Guyon in 1679, Prince of Marcillac; married to Magdeleine Charlotte le Tellier (daughter of François Michel Le Tellier de Louvois).
• Alexandre I de La Rochefoucauld (1690–1762) (son of François VIII), 5th Duke of La Rochefoucauld; married Elisabeth-Marie-Louise-Nicole de Caylard de Toiras d'Amboise in 1715.

Roye branch

This branch was founded by Charles de La Rochefoucauld, known as de Roye (d. 1605), younger son of François III de La Rochefoucauld, Count of La Rochefoucauld, and Charlotte de Roye, Countess of Roucy.

Dukes of Enville (1732), then Duke of La Rochefoucauld (1762)

• Jean-Baptiste Louis Frédéric de La Rochefoucauld de Roye (1707–1746), Marquis of Roucy, created Duke of Enville upon his 1732 marriage to his cousin, Marie-Louise-Nicole de La Rochefoucauld (1716–1797), eldest daughter of Alexandre, the last Duke of La Rochfoucauld. As Alexandre had no surviving male heir, by letters patent of Louis XV, the title Duke of La Rochefoucauld was transmitted to the male issue of Marie-Louise-Elisabeth on the condition that she married a member of the La Rochefoucauld family.
• Louis-Alexandre de La Rochefoucauld (son of preceding) (1743–1792), 6th Duke of La Rochefoucauld upon the death of his maternal grandfather in 1762 and 2nd Duke of Enville upon the death of his father in 1746. He was known as Duke of La Rochefoucauld-Enville. Member of the Académie des sciences, member of the Assembly of notables in 1787, deputy of the nobility at the French States-General of 1789. He was assassinated during the September massacres in Gisors; married (1) Pauline de Gand de Mérode in 1762, (2) Alexandrine Charlotte de Rohan-Chabot in 1780. As he died without heir, the title passed to his first cousin.

Dukes of Estissac (1737), Dukes of Liancourt (1765), then Dukes of La Rochefoucauld (1792)

Le Duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt

• Louis François Armand de La Rochefoucauld (1695–1783) of the younger branch of Roye, created Duke of Estissac upon his 1737 marriage to his cousin, Marie-Elisabeth de La Rochefoucauld (b. 1718), youngest daughter of Alexandre, the last Duke of La Rochfoucauld.
• François XII de La Rochefoucauld (1747–1827) (son of preceding), 7th Duke of La Rochefoucauld, created 1st Duke of Liancourt in 1765 and inherited the Duke of La Rochefoucauld title from his cousin in 1792; married Félicité-Sophie de Lannion in 1764.
• François XIII de La Rochefoucauld (1765–1848) (son of preceding), 8th Duke of La Rochefoucauld, Duke of Estissac, then Duke of Liancourt (in 1828, he was authorized to substitute the title of Duke of Liancourt for that of Duke of Estissac and gave his brother Alexandre, the title of Duke of Estissac, who thus founded the Estissac branch); married to Marie-Françoise de Tott in 1793.
• François XIV de La Rochefoucauld (1794–1874) (son of preceding), 9th Duke of La Rochefoucauld; married to Zénaide Chapt de Rastignac 1817.
• François XV de La Rochefoucauld (1818–1879) (son of preceding), 10th Duke of La Rochefoucauld; married to Radegonde-Euphrasie Bouvery in 1852.
• François XVI de La Rochefoucauld (1853–1925) (son of preceding), 11th Duke of La Rochefoucauld; married to Mattie-Elizabeth Mitchell (daughter of U.S. Senator John H. Mitchell) in 1892.
• Gabriel-Alfred de La Rochefoucauld (1854–1926) (brother of preceding), 12th Duke of La Rochefoucauld, the ducal title was transferred to him; married to Pauline Piscatory de Vaufreland in 1884.
• Jean de La Rochefoucauld (1887–1970) (son of preceding), 13th Duke of La Rochefoucauld, 8th Duke of Liancourt, Prince of Marcillac, Duke of Enville; married to Edmée Frish de Fels in 1917.
• François XVIII de La Rochefoucauld (1920–2011) (son of preceding), 14th Duke of La Rochefoucauld, 9th Duke of Liancourt, Duke of Enville; married (1) to Jeannine Renée Petit in 1946 (divorced in 1948), (2) to Sonia Marie Matossian in 1950 (divorced in 1961), and (3) to Jeanne-Marie de Villiers du Terrage in 1967.
• François XIX de La Rochefoucauld (b. 1958) (son of preceding), 15th Duke of La Rochefoucauld, 10th Duke of Liancourt, Duke of Enville, Prince of Marcillac; married to Michèle Suzanne Etter in 1984.
• François de La Rochefoucauld (b. 1986) (son of preceding), 11th Duke of Liancourt, Prince of Marcillac, heir to the ducal title.

Dukes of Estissac (since 1839)/ Prince de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel

This branch comes from the younger branch of the Counts of Roye. Louis François Armand de la Rochefoucauld Count of Roye was created Duke with a patent (non-hereditary) in 1737 and called Duke of Estissac. His grandson, Alexandre François de la Rochefoucauld (1761–1841), Count of the Empire, Ambassador for the Emperor, and brother of the Duke of La Rochefoucauld (of the Restoration) received the Duchy of Estissac from his elder brother in May 1839. His son, Alexandre Jules de La Rochefoucauld (1796–1856), was authorized by royal decree of 2 July 1840 to take the title of Duke of Estissac, however, this order was not followed by letters patent.

• Alexandre Jules de La Rochefoucauld (1796–1856), Duke of Estissac in 1840. Officer of the Legion of Honour; married in 1822 to Hélène-Charlotte Dessolle (daughter of Jean Joseph Dessolles, 1st Marquis Dessolles).
• Roger Paul Alexandre Louis de La Rochefoucauld (1826–1889) (son of preceding), Duke of Estissac; married to Juliette de Ségur in 1858.
• Alexandre Jules Paul Philippe François de La Rochefoucauld (1854–1930) (son of preceding), Duke of Estissac; married to Jeanne de Rochechouart-Mortemart in 1883.
• Louis François Alexandre de La Rochefoucauld (1885–1950) (son of preceding), Duke of Estissac; married to Nathalie de Clermont-Tonnerre in 1911.
• Alexandre Louis Marie François de La Rochefoucauld (1917-2008) (son of preceding), Duke of Estissac, President of the Jockey Club; married to Antoinette de Moustier in 1943.
• Pierre-Louis de La Rochefoucauld (b. 1947) (son of preceding), Duke of Estissac; married to Sabine de La Rochefoucauld in 1980.

Bernard de La Rochefoucauld (1922–2017), co-founder of the La Boétie Institute, former honorary president of the Institut Montaigne and former mayor of Ingrannes comes from this branch.

Branch La Rochefoucauld-Montbel, counts de La Rochefoucauld and princes (Bavaria 1909)

1. Arthur Count de La Rochefoucauld (1831-1888), mayor of Pellevoisin (second son of Alexandre-Jules, duke of Estissac and of Hélène-Charlotte Dessolles) married in 1854 Marie-Luce de Montbel, grand-daughter of Louis-Joseph de Montbel, officer of the Légion d'honneur, field marshal, first chambellan of Charles X. Marie-Luce was linked with the building of the holy Mary sanctuary of Pellevoisin.
2. Jules de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel (1857-1945) count de La Rochefoucauld, mayor of Pellevoisin, received in Bavaria on the 22nd July 1909 from Louis III of Bavaria the title of Fürst (Prince) · . He was authorized the 22 March 1922 to add his mother's name to his name. Thus the branch of La Rochefoucauld-Montbel (cadets of the dukes of Estissac). He married in 1881 Jeanne Louise Marie Nathalie Lebeuf de Montgermont.

   (Note : Aimery count de La Rochefoucauld (1843-1928), received also the bavarian Prince title on the same date. His only son Gabriel (1875-1942), writer and great friend of Marcel Proust, married to Odile Chapelle de Jumilhac, daughter of Armand Chapelle de Jumilhac, duke of Richelieu and of Alice Heine, had one child Anne de La Rochefoucauld (1906-1980), marquise de Amodio, founder in 1952 of the association Vieilles maisons françaises and had Dominique de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel as godson)

3. Emmanuel de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel (1883-1974), count de La Rochefoucauld, prince in Bavaria, ambassador, commander of the Légion d’honneur, bailli grand cross of Honor and Devotion of the Order of Malta, married in 1913 Simone Darblay. They owned the Lascaux caves .
4. Charles-Emmanuel de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel (1914-2000), count de La Rochefoucauld, prince in Bavaria, married 1) in 1943 Flora d'Huart Saint-Mauris (divorced) (issued Guy-Emmanuel (1944-1991) married in 1973 to Éléonore Edmond-Blanc. Without descendants), 2) In June 1949, He married Joanna-Isabelle Forbes. With descendants.
5. Dominique de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel (1950), count de La Rochefoucauld, prince in Bavaria, officer of Légion d’honneur, grand cross of Merit of the italian republic, grand cross of the order of Isabelle La Catholique and grand cross of the order of Saint Gregory the great. He married in january 1984, Pascale Subtil. Member of the sovereign council and grand hospitaller of the Sovereign Order of Malta. Bailli grand cross of Honor and Devotion of the Order of Malta and grand cross of the Order pro Merito Melitensi, he was also in France president of the association and vice-president of Ordre de Malte France. He is still vice-president of the fondation. He is Bailli grand cross of justice of the order of constantinian of Saint-Georges.

Dukes of Roche-Guyon (1679–1762)

François VIII de La Rochefoucauld (1663–1728) was created Duke of La Roche-Guyon by letters of November 1679. The 1st Duchy-peerage of La Rochefoucauld and, the title of Duke of La Roche-Guyon, died out in 1762 with Alexandre, 5th Duke of La Rochefoucauld and 2nd Duke of La Roche-Guyon, who had only two daughters who married their cousins from the branch of the Counts of Roye and Roucy.

Dukes of La Roche-Guyon (courtesy title) (19th–21st centuries)

Alfred de La Rochefoucauld (1819–1883), a cadet branch from the cadet branch of Roye, took over motu proprio in the 19th century, without letters of confirmation, the title of Duke of La Roche-Guyon which had extinguished in 1762. This courtesy title of "Duke of La Roche-Guyon" has been borne by his descendants ever since.

• Alfred de La Rochefoucauld (1819–1883), known as the "Duke of La Roche-Guyon"; married to Isabelle Nivière in 1851 (1833-1911), writer and poet, author of many poems published by Alphonse Lemerre, from 1877 until her death. Their second son is the painter Antoine de La Rochefoucauld.
• Pierre de La Rochefoucauld (1853–1930) (son of preceding), known as "Duke of La Roche-Guyon"; married to Gildippe Odoard du Hazey de Versainville in 1888. Their third son, Bernard (1901-1944), was a member of the French Resistance in Falaise and died in the Flossenbürg concentration camp in 1944.
• Gilbert de La Rochefoucauld (1889–1964) (son of preceding), known as "Duke of La Roche-Guyon"; married (1) to Princess Hélène de La Trémoille in 1899 (divorced and annulled in 1927), (2) to Marie-Louise Lerche in 1927.
• Alfred de La Rochefoucauld (1928–2013) (son of preceding), known as "Duke of La Roche-Guyon"; married to Lydie Jacobé de Haut de Sigy.
• Guy-Antoine de La Rochefoucauld (b. 1958) (son of preceding), known as "Duke of La Roche-Guyon"; married to Yolaine Françoise Marie Leclerc de Hauteclocque.

Count Bernard de La Rochefoucauld, the director Jean-Dominique de La Rochefoucauld (1931–2011) and his daughters Sophie (b. 1965) and Claire (b. 1972) come from this branch.

Marquises of Montendre and Surgères

These branches were formed by Louis de La Rochefoucauld, Lord of Montendre, Montguyon, Roissac and des Salles, who was a younger son of François I de La Rochefoucauld, comte de La Rochefoucauld (d. 1541), by his second marriage Barbe du Bois. He married Jacquette de Mortemer in 1534. His son was François de La Rochefoucauld (d. 1600), Lord of Montguyon, Baron of Montendre, who married Hélène de Goulard (only daughter and heiress of Egmond Goulard, Lord of Marsay). His son, Isaac de La Rochefoucauld (d. c. 1626), Lord of Montguyon, Baron of Montendre, married Hélène de Fonsèque (daughter of Charles de Fonsèque, Lord of Surgères) in 1600. Among others, they were the parents of Charles, progenitor of the Montendre branch and François, progenitor of the Surgères branch.

Marquis of Montendre

Mary Anne von Spanheim, wife of de François de La Rochefoucauld, Marquis de Montandre, by Michael Dahl, c. 1720

1. Charles de La Rochefoucauld, 1st Marquis of Montendre (son of Isaac); married to Renée Thévin in 1633.
   1. Charles-Louis de La Rochefoucauld, 2nd Marquis of Montendre; married to Anne de Pithou (daughter of Pierre de Pithou, Lord of Luyere).
      1. Isaac Charles de La Rochefoucauld (d. 1702), Count of Montendre, fought in the Siege of Mainz, the Battle of Fleurus, the Siege of Mons, the Siege of Barcelona, the Battle of Cremona (where he was wounded), and the Battle of Luzzara (where he was killed); no issue.
      2. François de La Rochefoucauld (1672–1739), 3rd Marquis of Montendre; married to Marie-Anne von Spanheim (daughter of Baron Ezéchiel von Spanheim, Prussian Ambassador to England), no issue.
      3. Louis de La Rochefoucauld (d. 1742), 4th Marquis of Montendre; married to Suzanne d'Argouges in 1710, no issue.

Marquis of Surgères

1. François de La Rochefoucauld (c. 1620–c. 1680), 1st Marquis of Surgères; married to Anne de Philippier
   1. Charles-François de La Rochefoucauld (c. 1643–c. 1714), 2nd Marquis of Surgères; married to Anne de La Rochefoucauld (daughter of Benjamin de La Rochefoucauld, Baron of Estissac) in 1662.
      1. François de La Rochefoucauld (1664–1731), 3rd Marquis of Surgères; married to Angélique Lee (widow of François Lucas de Démuin) in 1704.
         1. Alexandre-Nicolas de La Rochefoucauld (1709–1760), 4th Marquis of Surgères, Lieutenant General of the King's Armies; married to Jeanne-Thérèse Fleuriau de Morville (daughter of Charles-Jean-Baptiste Fleuriau de Morville) in 1728.
            1. Jean-François de La Rochefoucauld (1735–1789), 5th Marquis of Surgères, governor of Chartres; married to Anne Chauvelin de Grosbois, daughter of Germain Louis Chauvelin, Marquis of Grosbois) in 1752.

Dukes of Doudeaville (1782–1995), of Bisaccia (1851–1995), and of Estrées (1892–1907)

Ambroise-Polycarpe de La Rochefoucauld, by Pierre-Louis Delaval, 1827

Sosthènes I de La Rochefoucauld, by François Joseph Heim

Sosthènes II de La Rochefoucauld, by Léon Bonnat, 1899

The title Duke of Doudeauville (Duc de Doudeauville) was created for Ambroise-Polycarpe, 6th Marquis of Surgères (premier Baron of the Boulonnais), in 1780 by King Louis XVI in the Peerage of France. It was also created in 1782 by Charles III in the Kingdom of Spain (through his wife as heir to the title of Duke of Doudeauville of the Le Tellier de Courtanvaux family), granting him the Rank of Grandee of Spain, 1st Class. The title was recognized by the peerage ordinance of 4 June 1814; a Hereditary peer of France on 19 August 1815, Hereditary Duke-Peer on 31 August 1817 by King Louis XVIII during his 2nd reign. The title became extinct in 1995 upon the death of the 7th Duke. The Duke of Bisaccia (Duca di Bisaccia) title was created for Sosthènes II on 16 May 1851 by King Ferdinand II in the peerage of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (second creation; through his grandmother's family, the Montmorency-Lavals). Inscription among the Bavarian nobility as Princes under the title Duke of Bisaccia (Herzog von Bisaccia), on 24 November 1855 by King Maximilian II. It also became extinct in 1995. The designation of the title of Duke of Doudeauville was changed to Duke of Estrées in Spain in 1893 by King Alfonso XIII when it was transferred to Sosthènes II's second son, Charles, but became extinct upon the Duke's death, without male issue, in 1907.

1. Ambroise-Polycarpe de La Rochefoucauld (1765–1841) (son of 5th Marquis of Surgères), 1st Duke of Doudeauville, 6th Marquis of Surgères, Grandee of Spain (under the title Duke of Doudeauville); married to Bénigne le Tellier de Louvois (founder of the Religieuses de Nazareth in 1822).
   1. Sosthènes I de La Rochefoucauld (1785–1864), 2nd Duke of Doudeauville; married to Élisabeth de Montmorency-Laval (a daughter of Minister of Foreign Affairs Duke Mathieu de Montmorency).
      1. Stanislas de La Rochefoucauld (1822–1887), 3rd Duke of Doudeauville; married to Marie de Colbert-Chabanais.
      2. Sosthènes II de La Rochefoucauld (1825–1908), 4th Duke of Doudeauville, 1st Duke of Bisaccia; married to Princess Yolande of Polignac (daughter of Prime Minister Prince Jules de Polignac).
         1. Charles Marie François de La Rochefoucauld (1863–1907), Duke of Estrées (took the Spanish title, not recognized in France, by transfer); married to Princess Charlotte of La Trémoïlle (daughter of Prince Louis Charles de La Trémoille).
         2. Armand François Jules Marie de La Rochefoucauld (1870–1963), 5th Duke of Doudeauville, President of the Jockey-Club de Paris and the Polo de Paris; married to Princess Marié Lise Radziwill.
            1. Sosthènes III de La Rochefoucauld (1897–1970), 6th Duke of Doudeauville; married to Countess Leonor de Saavedra of Torrehermosa.
            2. Armand Charles François Marie de La Rochefoucauld (1902–1995), 7th Duke of Doudeauville; married to Esther Millicent Clarke and had a natural son with Clémentine Elisabeth Brandt.
               1. Armand Sosthènes de La Rochefoucauld (b. 1944); married to Geneviève Rose Blanche Fourny.
         3. Édouard François Marie de La Rochefoucauld (1874–1968), 2nd Duke of Bisaccia; married to Camille de Colbert-Chabanais.
            1. Marie-Carmen de La Rochefoucauld (1902–1999); married to Count of Mailly-Nesles in 1928.
            2. Stanislas de La Rochefoucauld (1903–1965), Count; married to (1) Sophie Alice Cocea in 1926, and (2) to Princess Jeanne Princess of San Felice de Viggiano in 1947.
            3. Élisabeth de La Rochefoucauld (1909–2006); married (1) to Elliot Robert Le Gras du Luart de Montsaulnin in 1929, and (2) to Mario Fausto Maria Pinci in 1958.

Marquis of Bayers; Baron of La Rochefoucauld-Bayers (1817)

Jean de La Rochefoucauld-Bayers (1757–1834), Baron of La Rochefoucauld-Bayers

This branch was originated by Geoffroy de La Rochefoucauld, Lord of Verteuil (d. c. 1329) from whom descended Guillaume de La Rochefoucauld, Lord of Nouans (d. c. 1487).CITEREFMassue,1914 One of his sons, Guillaume de La Rochefoucauld (d. c. 1512) founded the branch by Bayers building the Château de Bayers becoming Lord of Bayers (Seigneur de Bayers). His descendant, Louis-Antoine de La Rochefoucauld-Bayers, obtained the title, Marquis of Bayers.

The male line of this branch became extinct in 1940 upon the death of Raoul-Gustave de La Rochefoucauld, Marquis of Bayers (1845–1940), who died without issue from his marriage to Elisabeth de Griffon-Sénéjac. The female line ended with Victoria de La Rochefoucauld-Bayers (1880-1950), the daughter of a cousin of Raoul-Gustave, who died unmarried in 1950.

• François-Joseph de La Rochefoucauld-Bayers (d. 1792), Bishop-Count of Beauvais and Peer of France, deputy of the clergy of Clermont at the Estates General of 1789, massacred with his brother at Carmes Prison.
• Pierre-Louis de La Rochefoucauld-Bayers (1744–1792), brother of the previous, Bishop of Saintes, deputy of the clergy of Saintes in the Estates General of 1789, massacred with his brother at Carmes Prison.
• Charles-François de La Rochefoucauld-Bayers (1753–1819), deputy to the Estates General of 1789.
• Jean de La Rochefoucauld-Bayers (1757–1834), a soldier and politician; created Baron of La Rochefoucauld-Bayers in 1817.

Armorial

Figure	Name and blazon
	House of Rochefoucauld Barruly argent and azure, overall three chevrons gules, the uppermost écimé (French heraldic term for "cut off" or "truncated"). (Sometimes represented with the upper chevron extending beyond the shield, its tip cut off by the edge.) These arms can be seen as those of Lusignan (barruly argent and azure) with the addition of the chevrons as a brisure. For this reason certain authors have claimed that the house of Rochefoucauld had a common origin with that of Lusignan.
	Charles de La Rochefoucauld (1520–1582), Seigneur de Barbezieux, de Linières, de Meillant et de Preuilly, Chevalier du Saint-Esprit (reçu le 31 décembre 1578) Quarterly: 1 and 4 as above; 2 and 3, Or an escutcheon azure.
	François XII de La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt (1747–1827), duc de Liancourt, then duc de La Rochefoucauld, politician, scientist and philanthropist. Quarterly: 1 and 4, Gules a bend argent (de Roye); 2, Or a lion azure, armed and langued gules. Over all the arms of Rochefoucauld as above.

See also

• Peerage of France
• List of French peerages
• List of French dukedoms

References

References

• Malte-Brun, Victor Adolphe (1816–1889). La France illustrée : géographie, histoire, administration, statistique (4 Vols.). Gustave Barba, libraire–éditeur; rue de Seine, 31.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) OCLC 835304888 (all editions).

1. Vol. 1. Chapter 15. "Charente: La Rochefoucauld". June 1855. p. 9 – via Google Books (BSB).

• Malte-Brun, Victor Adolphe (1816–1889). La France illustrée : géographie, histoire, administration, statistique (6 Vols.). Nouvelle édition, revue, corrigée et augmentée [New edition, revised, corrected, and expanded ]. Illustrations by the fine artists. Maps and plans engraved by Georges Erhard Schieble (1821–1880). Research by Eugène Boutmy (1828-). Engravings by Hubert Clerget (1818–1899). Paris: Jules Rouff [1846–1927], éditeur; cloître Saint-Honoré, 14.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) LCCN 11-33887.

1. Vol. 1. "Charente: La Rochefoucauld". 1881. p. 17 – via Internet Archive (Toronto).

"Les armes de La Rochefoucauld sont : burellé d'argent et d'azur de dix pièces, à trois chevrons de gueules brochant sur le tout" [The arms of La Rochefoucauld are: barruly argent and azure, overall three chevrons gules, the uppermost écimé ].

• Massue, Melville Henry (aka Marquis of Ruvigny; né Melville Amadeus Henry Douglas Heddle de la Caillemotte de Massue de Ruvigny; 1868–1921), ed. (1914). The Titled Nobility of Europe. An International Peerage, or "Who's Who," of the Sovereigns, Princes and Nobles of Europe. London, S.W.: Harrison & Sons, 45 Pall Mall. pp. 311, 349–350, 589–590.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: editors list (link) Retrieved June 19, 2024. LCCN 15-875; OCLC 2953691 (all editions).

1. Via Google Books. (Minnesota).
2. Via Google Books (1980 re-print). (Michigan State). ISBN 0-8501-1028-9.

• New York Times (The). ISSN 0362-4331 (print), ISSN 1553-8095 (online); OCLC 1645522 (all editions).

1. NYTimes: "Miss Mitchell's Wedding. The Civil Marriage to the Duke de La Rochefoucauld". Vol. 41, no. 12625. 11 February 1892. p. 1 (col. 3, top). Retrieved 10 December 2020.
1. Via NYTimes Blog
2. Via NYTimes Permalink
3. Via NYTimes TimesMachine
4. Via NYTimes pdf
5. Via Newspapers.com
2. NYTimes: "American Duchess Dies. Widow of Duc de la Rochefoucauld Was Former Mattie Mitchell". Vol. 82, no. 27422. 21 February 1933. p. 19 (col. 6). Retrieved 10 December 2020.
1. Via NYTimes Permalink
2. Via NYTimes pdf.
3. NYTimes: "Son of Duchess Dead. Mother Is a Daughter of the Late Senator Mitchell". Vol. 58, no. 18675. 12 March 1909. p. 3 (col. 2, bottom). Retrieved 10 December 2020.
1. Via NYTimes Permalink
2. Via NYTimes pdf.
3. Via Newspapers.com

• Sainte-Marie, Pierre Anselme de (aka Père Anselme, aka Father Anselme; 1625–1694). Histoire – Généalogique et chronologique – De la maison royale – De France, des pairs, grands officiers. De la Couronne et de la Maison du Roy, et des anciens barons du royaume ; avec les qualitéz, l'origine, le progrès et les armes de leurs familles ; ensemble, les statuts & le catalogue des chevaliers, commandeurs & officiers de L'Ordre du Saint-Esprit. Le tout dressé sur titres originaux, sur les registres des chartes du Roy, du Parlement, de la Chambre des Comptes & du Châtelet de Paris, cartulaires, manuscrits de la Bibliothèque du Roy & d'autres cabinets curieux. [History – Genealogical and Chronological – Of the Royal House of France, the Peers, and the Grand Officers of the Crown and the King's Household, and of the Ancient Barons of the Kingdom; with the Ranks, Origins, Progress, and Arms of Their Families; Together with the Statutes and the Catalogue of the Knights, Commanders, and Officers of the Order of the Holy Spirit. All compiled from original documents, from the registers of the King's charters, of the Parliament, of the Chamber of Accounts, and of the Châtelet of Paris, cartularies, manuscripts from the King's Library, and from other notable collections ]. Continued by Honoré Caille, Lord of Fourny (1630–1713); reviewed, corrected, and expanded through the efforts of Father Ange (né Père Ange de Sainte-Rosalie; 1655–1726) and Father Simplicien (1683–1759), Discalced Augustinians. 4th ed: Further corrected, annotated, and completed by Pol Potier de Courcy (1815–1891). Printers & publishers → Paris: Firmin Didot Frères, Fils et Cⁱᵉ [Firmin Didot Brothers, Sons & Company: Firmin Didot (1764–1836), Ambroise Firmin Didot (1790–1876), and Hyacinthe Firmin Didot (1794–1880)], libraires-éditeurs, Printers of the Institut de France, ᴍ ᴅᴄᴄᴄ ʟxᴠɪɪɪ (1868). Reprint of the 1726–1733 edition → Paris: Compagnie des Libraires. 1st ed. published in 1674. Première Réimpression 1968, Editions du Palais Royal, Paris. Printed in former West Germany by Anton Hain KG, Meisenheim am Glan.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) Retrieved September 30 2024. OCLC 82754743 (all editions).

1. Vol. 4. Chapter 21: "Généalogie de la maison de La Rochefoucaud". p. 387–430 – via Via Google Books (Ohio State).

• Saint-Simon, Fernand de; Seréville, Etienne de (1932–2022) (1975) [1977]. Dictionnaire de la noblesse française [Dictionary of the French Nobility ]. Series: La société française au XXᵉ siècle [French Society in the 20th Century] (in French). Paris: Éditions Contrepoint. p. 35.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) Retrieved Septemberr 30, 2024. LCCN 77-568176; BnF 34584509w; OCLC 3628307 (all editions), OCLC 751504632 (all editions), OCLC 461574494 (all editions).

1. Supplément (no preview) – via Google Books (Minnesota).
2. Supplément (no preview) – via Google Books (Michigan).

External links

• Château de La Rochefoucauld
• Armorial de La Rochefoucauld