Guillaume Dubois The last of the three cardinals Date of Birth: 06.09.1656 Country: France

1. Early Life and Education
2. Political Ascent
3. Foreign Minister and Cardinal
4. Ecclesiastical Honors
5. First Minister and Later Years
6. Legacy and Doubt

The Cardinal of Versailles: Guillaume Dubois, the Final Statesman of the Grand Siècle

Early Life and Education

Guillaume Dubois was born in 1656, the son of a village doctor. He initially studied for the priesthood but soon abandoned that path in favor of becoming a tutor to the children of the Versailles aristocracy. His most prominent student was the Duke of Chartres, who later became the Regent of France after the death of Louis XIV.

Political Ascent

Dubois's influence grew under the Regency. He played a key role in exposing the conspiracy of the Spanish ambassador, Chellamare, which brought France close to war with Spain. Dubois recognized the threat posed by Spain's claims to the French throne and worked to forge an alliance with Spain's former enemies to counter that threat.

Foreign Minister and Cardinal

In 1718, Dubois secured the alliance known as the Quadruple Alliance, which included Britain, the Netherlands, Austria, and France. This diplomatic coup earned him the position of Foreign Minister. The subsequent War of the Quadruple Alliance (1718-20) forced Spain to abandon its ambitions and remove Cardinal Alberoni, its scheming chief minister.

Ecclesiastical Honors

Despite his reputation for greed and debauchery, Dubois used bribes and promises to secure a cardinal's hat from the Pope in 1721, becoming an archbishop and a prince of the Holy Roman Empire. This was an astonishing rise for a man who had never celebrated Mass.

First Minister and Later Years

In 1722, Dubois became France's First Minister. His final years were marked by financial woes, failing health, and the need to reconcile with the Spanish Bourbons. He arranged the marriage of Louis XV to a Spanish infanta and sent the Duke of Saint-Simon to Madrid to negotiate the terms.

Legacy and Doubt

After the collapse of the monarchy, Dubois's memoirs were discovered. However, their authenticity remains in question. Despite this uncertainty, Dubois remains an enigmatic and influential figure, the last of the cardinals who led France during the glory days of the Grand Siècle.