Cardinal Richelieu

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Definition

Proper noun 1. A historical figure: Cardinal Richelieu refers to Armand Jean du Plessis, a French clergyman, nobleman, and statesman who served as the Chief Minister to King Louis XIII of France from 1624 until his death. He is a pivotal figure in the consolidation of royal power and the establishment of France as a leading European power.

Usage Examples
  • Proper noun:
    • Cardinal Richelieu was a master of realpolitik and a key architect of French absolutism.
    • The policies of Cardinal Richelieu often prioritized the strength of the state over religious unity.
    • Many historians study the intricate diplomacy of Cardinal Richelieu during the Thirty Years' War.
Advanced Usage
  • "Richelieu" as a metonym: The name "Richelieu" is sometimes used metonymically to refer to the period of his administration or its characteristic political style, marked by cunning statecraft and centralization of power.
    • The era of Richelieu transformed French foreign policy.
Variants and Related Words
  • The Red Eminence: This was a common nickname for Cardinal Richelieu, derived from the color of a cardinal's robes and his immense, though often behind-the-scenes, influence ().
  • Duc de Richelieu: He was also the Duke of Richelieu, a noble title.
Synonyms
  • Armand Jean du Plessis: His full name.
  • Chief Minister to Louis XIII: His official political role.
Related Phrases and Contexts
  • Richelieu's policies: Often refers specifically to his domestic centralization efforts and his foreign policy of opposing Habsburg dominance.
  • The Siege of La Rochelle: A major military and political event directed by Richelieu against the Huguenot stronghold.
  • The Académie française: An institution founded under his patronage in 1635 to regulate the French language.
Noun
  1. French prelate and statesman; principal minister to Louis XIII (1585-1642)