There are many good authorities for the life of Cardinal de Richelieu and for the details of his time, among which the well-known and invaluable works of M. Avenel and of the Vicomte G. d’Avenel should especially be mentioned. But any modern writer on the subject must, first and foremost, acknowledge a deep obligation to M. Hanotaux, concerning whose unfinished _Histoire du Cardinal de Richelieu_, extending down to the year 1624, one can only express the hope that its gifted author may some day find leisure and inclination to complete it. E. C. P. CONTENTS List of Authorities Pages xiii, xiv PART I CHAPTER I The birth of Armand Jean du Plessis de Richelieu--The position of his family--His great-uncles--His grandfather and grandmother--His father, François de Richelieu, Grand Provost of Henry III.--His mother and her family--His godfathers--The death of his father Pages 1-9 CHAPTER II Friends and relations--The household at Richelieu--Country life in Poitou Pages 10-15 CHAPTER III The University of Paris--The College of Navarre--The Marquis du Chillou--A change of prospect--A student of theology--The Abbé de Richelieu at Rome--His consecration Pages 16-25 PART II CHAPTER I A Bishop at the Sorbonne--State of France under Henry IV.--Henry IV., his Queen and his Court--The Nobles and Princes--The unhealthiness of Paris--The Bishop’s departure Pages 26-37 CHAPTER II Richelieu arrives at Luçon--His palace and household--His work in the diocese--His friends and neighbours Pages 38-47 CHAPTER III “Instructions et Maximes”--The death of Henry IV.--The difficult road to favour--Père Joseph and the Abbey of Fontevrault Pages 48-62 CHAPTER IV Waiting for an opportunity--Political unrest--The States-General of 1614--The Bishop of Luçon speaks Pages 63-71 CHAPTER V Richelieu appointed Chaplain to Queen Anne--Discontent of the Parliament and the Princes--The royal progress to the south--Treaty of Loudun--Return to Paris--Marie de Médicis and her favourites--The young King and Queen--The Duc de Luynes--Richelieu as negotiator and adviser--The death of Madame de Richelieu Pages 72-87 CHAPTER VI A contemporary view of the state of France--Barbin, Mangot, and Richelieu--A new rebellion--Richelieu as Foreign Secretary--The Abbé de Marolles--Concini in danger--The death of Concini--The fall of the Ministry--Horrible scenes in Paris--Richelieu follows the Queen-mother into exile Pages 88-100 CHAPTER VII