Armand Jean du Plessis, 1st Duke of Richelieu, was born on 9 September 1585 in Paris. He was the youngest of five children in a family of lesser nobility. His father, François du Plessis, served as Grand Provost of France and died when Richelieu was five, leaving the family in debt. With royal assistance, they avoided financial ruin. At nine, Richelieu began his education at the College of Navarre, where he studied philosophy and military training. His family had connections to the Bishopric of Luçon, which led to his eventual entry into the clergy. In 1606, he was nominated Bishop of Luçon by Henry IV, and he was consecrated in April 1607. He implemented reforms in his diocese, becoming known for his progressive approach.Richelieu's political career began in earnest when he represented the clergy at the Estates-General in 1614. He advocated for the church's political power and tax exemptions. After serving as almoner to Queen Anne of Austria, he became Secretary of State for foreign affairs in 1616. His rise was interrupted by the assassination of his patron, Concino Concini, in 1617, which led to his temporary dismissal and banishment. He returned to favor in 1619, mediating between the king and his mother, Marie de Médici. By 1622, he was appointed cardinal, and in 1624, he became chief minister to King Louis XIII.As chief minister, Richelieu aimed to centralize royal power and diminish the influence of the nobility. He sought to counter the Habsburgs' power in Europe, particularly during the Thirty Years' War. He suppressed the Huguenots, notably besieging La Rochelle from 1627 to 1628, which ended with their defeat. Although he allowed some religious toleration, he stripped the Huguenots of their political rights. Richelieu's foreign policy involved supporting Protestant states against the Habsburgs, leading to significant military engagements and alliances.Richelieu's administration was marked by his efforts to strengthen the monarchy and suppress dissent. He abolished the position of Constable of France and ordered the destruction of fortified castles to limit noble power. He established a network of spies to monitor opposition and dealt ruthlessly with dissenters, including executing Henri, duc de Montmorency, in 1632. His financial policies, including increased taxation, led to unrest among the peasantry, which he suppressed violently.During the Thirty Years' War, Richelieu shifted France's involvement from a religious conflict to a struggle against Habsburg dominance. He provided support to Sweden and the Dutch Republic, believing that war with Spain was inevitable. His strategies drained Habsburg resources and contributed to their eventual decline. Richelieu also promoted colonization in the Americas, founding the Compagnie de la Nouvelle France and encouraging peaceful relations between French settlers and Indigenous peoples.In his later years, Richelieu faced opposition from various factions, including the pope, due to his foreign policy and church administration. He dealt with a conspiracy led by Henri Coiffier de Ruzé, marquis de Cinq-Mars, which resulted in Cinq-Mars's execution in 1642. Richelieu's health deteriorated, and he died on 4 December 1642. His body was interred at the Sorbonne, and his death was met with mixed reactions across France. His legacy includes significant contributions to the centralization of power in France and the shaping of its foreign policy during a transformative period in European history.

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Cardinal Richelieu