Louis Georges Érasme, marquis de Contades (1704–1795) was the 6th Marquis de Contades and Seigneur de Montgeoffroi. He was a

Marshal of France Marshal of France (french: Maréchal de France, plural ') is a French military distinction, rather than a military rank, that is awarded to generals for exceptional achievements. The title has been awarded since 1185, though briefly abolished ( ...

and a major battlefield commander during the

Seven Years' War The Seven Years' War (1756–1763) was a global conflict that involved most of the European Great Powers, and was fought primarily in Europe, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific. Other concurrent conflicts include the French and Indian War (175 ...

. He notably commanded the French forces at the 1759

Battle of Minden The Battle of Minden was a major engagement during the Seven Years' War, fought on 1 August 1759. An Anglo-German army under the overall command of Prussian Field Marshal Ferdinand of Brunswick defeated a French army commanded by Marshal of Fr ...

. He was born in Gizeux, Anjou, the son of Gaspard de Contades (b.1666) and his wife Jeanne-Marie Crespin de La Chabosselaye. On 1734, he was created a Brigadier; in 1740 Maréchal de camp; and in 1745 Lieutenant Général. He took command of the French Army of Westphalia in 1758 during the Seven Years' War due to dissatisfaction with the previous commanders. He was unable to stem the French withdrawal across the Rhine, which had undone France's conquest of Hanover. On 24 August 1758, he was created Maréchal de France. On 1 August 1759, he led the French forces at the

, where they were routed. This largely halted France's offensive in Germany that year, and had wider strategic ramifications. He was subsequently relieved of his command. He died at Livry.

Family

In October 1724, he married Marie-Françoise Magon, daughter of François Magon, with issue: *Françoise-Gertrude de Contades *Georges Gaspard François Auguste Jean Baptiste de Contades (b.1726), who succeeded his father as the 7th Marquis de Contades *Adrien-Maurice de Contades (b.1736) About 1737, he had an affair with Marie-Hélène Moreau de Séchelles, resulting in issue: *Jean-Baptiste Martin Hérault de Séchelles (the father of

Marie-Jean Hérault de Séchelles Marie-Jean Hérault de Séchelles (, 20 September 1759 – 5 April 1794) was a French judge, freemason and politician who took part in the French Revolution. Origins and early career Marie-Jean Hérault de Séchelles was born in Paris int ...

) 1704 births 1795 deaths People from Indre-et-Loire Marshals of France Marquesses of Contades {{france-noble-stub