We are in November 1630, the Day of the Dupes marks the victory of Cardinal de Richelieu over a major rival:Marie de Médicis , the mother of King Louis XIII of France. It's a real turnaround for this man who thought he was lost, and the Queen Mother who thought she was victorious. Let's go back to this milestone event of the 17th century, the Day of Dupes .
The duel between Marie de Medici and Cardinal Richelieu
Cardinal de Richelieu is introduced to the Court of France
Armand Jean du Plessis, better known as Cardinal de Richelieu, impressed with his charisma and intelligence . His talents as a speaker brought him to notice with Marie de Médicis, wife of Henri IV and mother of the King of France Louis XIII and Gaston d'Orléans. In 1615, Richelieu became Grand Chaplain to the Queen Mother , and 1624 entered the Royal Council.
At this time, nothing would have let you imagine that Dupes' Day could happen. At the beginning of their meeting, Marie de Médicis deeply appreciates the Cardinal de Richelieu. And on the contrary, his son Louis XIII totally rejects his new Secretary of State. The young monarch, then 15 years old, saw Richelieu as an obstacle to asserting his power. But the skill and ambition of the Cardinal will gradually seduce Louis XIII , who ends up considering him as his mentor.
The Minister asserts his power
For 15 years, Cardinal de Richelieu achieved a real rise to power, crowned with successes in politics. Armand Jean du Plessis becomes indispensable to the Crown, and in particular to Louis XIII who relies on his main adviser to make his kingdom the leading power in Europe. But all these glories have a price for Richelieu. He attracts the wrath of the former regent Marie de Medici by accumulating insults. His policy against Spain and the Habsburgs to get closer to Protestant states will scandalize Marie. These many political decisions will be seen as treacheries by the king's mother. Marie de Medici wants to get rid of her former chaplain, and she will do everything to achieve her ends and emerge victorious from this war against Minister Richelieu.
Richelieu's dismissal by Marie de Medici
In September 1630, it is a premise of the Day of the Dupes that Marie de Médicis will make him live. While King Louis XIII is ill and condemned, Marie de Medici imposes the dismissal of Cardinal de Richelieu , with the help of his many allies. But against all expectations, Louis XIII recovers and restores his Minister. The end of the Cardinal was near! But it is misunderstanding the skillful Queen Marie de Medici, who is far from admitting defeat .
Dupe Day, a turnaround
Marie de Medici publicly humiliates Minister Richelieu
Today is November 9, 1630 , on the eve of Dupes' Day. A very restricted council is held at the Luxembourg Palace in Paris, the home of Marie de Medici. Discussions are held about the army of Italy. Cardinal de Richelieu is present, as well as Michel de Marillac, one of his fervent opponents. Thanks to the maneuvers of his mother, King Louis XIII decided to entrust the command of the army to the brother of Marillac . It's a blow for Richelieu.
The Queen Mother took advantage of this breach to drive home the point and publicly humiliate the Cardinal. She rages against him in front of the whole Council, and relieves him of all his duties for which she is responsible. Despite the attachment that King Louis XIII has for his adviser, the king remained silent in the face of this scene . Cardinal de Richelieu feels disconcerted, and feels his power gradually declining.
Dupe Day, Richelieu falls from grace
The day after this humiliating scene, on Sunday November 10, 1630 , the Day of the Dupes begins (despite its name, the Day of the Dupes actually took place over two days). Queen Marie de Medici wishes to speak alone with her son King Louis XIII on the subject that has animated it for several years:the dismissal of Cardinal de Richelieu . She hopes that after this victory of November 09, Louis XIII would decide in her favor. Minister Richelieu, having heard of this interview, wishes to join this conversation. Unfortunately for the Minister, he was refused entry by Marie de Medici.
But the Queen omitted one detail:the Cardinal himself supervised the construction of this Palace, which he therefore knows perfectly . He is refused to hear what he is saying to himself, never mind! He will discreetly listen to what mother and son have to say to each other. Richelieu goes through corridors unknown to the general public and arrives at a small hidden door that he opens discreetly. It was then that King Louis XIII exclaimed “Here he is! ”, to which the Cardinal replies “I make sure you talk about me ”. Annoyed by the situation, and seeing his end coming, Richelieu collapses at the feet of his rival and begs her to put an end to it all . The Queen does not care, she dismisses the Minister. At the end of Fool's Day, Queen Marie de Medici is already celebrating her victory , his son the king having promised to get rid of Minister Richelieu.
This scene from Dupes' Day is told to us by François de Bassompierre, Marquis d'Haroué , in his memoirs:
It was without counting on two men, who will work to "repair" Louis XIII and Cardinal Richelieu after this Day of Dupes. The Duke of Saint Simon persuades the king to change his mind and talk to his adviser. The Cardinal de la Valette will meanwhile detain Richelieu, who is about to return to his lands.
King Louis XIII restores his Minister
On this second Day of the Dupes of November 11, 1630 , the King of France and the Cardinal find themselves in a small hunting lodge, unknown for the moment, but which will become the famous Palace of Versailles. Far from the Court, and especially from Marie de Medici, they can thus converse. This Fool's Day ends with a friendly gesture of Louis XIII, who renewed all his confidence to Cardinal de Richelieu. He who thought he would be fired and disgraced, finally sees himself back on the front of the stage...or rather the Queen Mother Marie de Médicis. Dupes' Day finally ends well for Richelieu.
What reaction will the second wife of Henri IV have on hearing this news after the Day of Dupes?
Richelieu winner after Dupes Day
The Cardinal is restored
It's a real turnaround. Queen Marie de Medici, who celebrates her victory early, finds herself the loser. The one she thought disgraced finally finds himself restored. Even worse! Louis XIII fully renews his confidence in his Minister. Probably even a little too much. Many say the real King of France is Cardinal de Richelieu, not Louis XIII.
Even if this Day of the Dupes was one of the worst days in the life of the Cardinal, it represents the beginning of a new reign , of new glory.
After his restitution, Richelieu imprisoned all the conspirators, including Michel Marillac and his brother, who was to take command of the Army of Italy.
Dupes' Day marks the end of Queen Marie de' Medici
As for Queen Marie de Medici, the presupposed victory finally gives way to exile . On December 26, the Cardinal and Marie talk, without finding a compromise. The next day, the Florentine Medici announces to the Council that she will no longer appear there. Louis XIII, who is described as weak, then makes a decision that will change the course of history. He will say:
The reason takes precedence over the heart, the state is becoming more important than anything. We are at the end of February 1631, the guard of Marshal d'Estrées surround the Luxembourg Palace. Marie de Medici is taken into exile in Europe. Anne of Austria, wife of the King of France, cannot help but run to kiss the Queen Mother. From then on, Louis XIII will treat his mother as a public enemy. Despite all this, Queen Marie de Medici never stopped plotting against Cardinal Richelieu to make him fall out of favor with Louis XIII.
Sources :
– “Intrigues at the Court of France” – History Secret
– “Louis XIII” by Philippe Erlanger – Editions Famot
– Memoirs of François de Bassompierre, Marquis of Haroué