Philippe I. de Bourbon, duc d’Orléans

Philippe I of Bourbon-Orléans, Duke of Orléans, was born on September 21, 1640, at the Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye. He was the second son of King Louis XIII of France and Anne of Austria, and the younger brother of Louis XIV, the future “Sun King.” At birth he held the title Duke of Anjou and stood immediately behind his brother in the line of succession. After Louis XIII died in 1643, Anne became regent for the underage Louis XIV, and Philippe grew up during a period of considerable political tension. The Fronde uprising temporarily forced the royal family to leave Paris before Anne and Cardinal Mazarin reestablished their authority after several years of conflict. Philippe received a broad education in languages, history, literature, mathematics, drawing, and dance. His tutors included François de La Mothe Le Vayer, who also taught Louis XIV, as well as the Abbé François-Timoléon de Choisy and General César de Choiseul du Plessis-Praslin. His mother deliberately encouraged an exceptionally conspicuous and feminine self-presentation. Philippe wore women’s clothing as a child and later appeared at balls and festivities with makeup and jewelry. His appearance aroused both curiosity and disapproval at court, but it formed part of a policy intended to allow him to express his individuality while limiting the possibility of rivalry with his brother. In the autumn of 1647, Philippe contracted smallpox but recovered. At Louis XIV’s coronation on June 7, 1654, he played a prominent role and placed the crown on his brother’s head. When Louis XIV became seriously ill in 1658 and was for a time considered nearly dead, Philippe briefly became the focus of attention, since he would have become king if his brother had died. After Louis recovered, however, Philippe returned to a secondary position. In the same year, he purchased the Château de Saint-Cloud, which he later transformed into his preferred residence. After the death of his uncle Gaston d’Orléans in 1660, Philippe inherited his duchy. On May 10, 1661, Louis XIV officially granted him the title Duke of Orléans, together with the associated titles Duke of Valois and Duke of Chartres. From then on, he was known at the French court as “Monsieur,” the traditional form of address for the king’s younger brother. His mother and Mazarin had nevertheless worked to restrict his financial resources in order to prevent political ambitions and possible competition with the king. Philippe later unsuccessfully sought additional important offices and territories. Despite his limited political role, Philippe proved himself a capable and courageous military commander. He distinguished himself several times during the Franco-Dutch War. His greatest success came on April 11, 1677, when he defeated William III of Orange at the Battle of Cassel. Philippe was praised for his military abilities and promoted to lieutenant general. His victory increased his popularity both at court and in the army, which alarmed Louis XIV. The king eventually removed him from military command and thereafter kept him away from important political decisions. Philippe then devoted himself chiefly to court life, his estates, art collections, and lavish entertainments. He was an important patron of artists, musicians, and theater figures. Among the artists he supported were Jean Nocret and Pierre Mignard, while musicians such as Lully, Anglebert, and Du Mont belonged to his circle. Molière and his acting company also enjoyed his protection. Philippe extensively renovated Saint-Cloud and the Palais-Royal. The gardens of Saint-Cloud were designed by André Le Nôtre, while architects including Mansart contributed to the alterations. His art collection later formed part of the foundation of the celebrated Orleans Collection. He was also granted the right to construct the Canal d’Orléans, which connected the Loire with Orléans and served the transport of goods to Paris. Philippe lived openly as a homosexual while also maintaining relationships with women. One of his best-known male favorites was the Chevalier de Lorraine, whose influence repeatedly caused tensions in Philippe’s marriages. In 1661, Philippe married his cousin Henriette Anne, Princess of England, the daughter of the executed English king Charles I and Henrietta Maria. Known at the French court as “Madame,” she was widely admired for her personality. The marriage, however, was marked by mutual infidelity, jealousy, and conflict. The couple had four children, of whom Maria Luisa and Anne Marie reached adulthood. Maria Luisa became queen of Spain, while Anne Marie became Duchess of Savoy and later the first queen of Sardinia. Henriette died at the Château de Saint-Cloud on June 30, 1670, at the age of twenty-six, under circumstances that were never fully clarified. Contemporaries suspected poisoning, whereas the medical examination attributed her death to an illness. In 1671, Philippe married Elisabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate, who converted to Catholicism. They had three children: Alexander Louis, who died young; Philippe II d’Orléans, the future regent of France; and Elisabeth Charlotte, who became Duchess of Lorraine. After 1676, Philippe and his second wife largely lived separately, although Elisabeth Charlotte remained a devoted mother and continued to maintain contact with the children from Philippe’s first marriage. During his final years, Philippe devoted himself primarily to his family. His daughters became queens, and his descendants connected the House of Orléans with numerous European ruling families, earning him the later nickname “the grandfather of Europe.” Philippe died in Saint-Cloud on June 9, 1701, at the age of sixty, after suffering a stroke. His brother Louis XIV was reportedly deeply shaken by his death. Philippe was buried in the Basilica of Saint-Denis, but his tomb was destroyed during the French Revolution. Through careful management of his wealth, he strengthened the position of the House of Orléans, which he founded as a cadet branch of the French Bourbons.