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)