Louis Georges Érasme de Contades, Marquis de Contades (; 19 October 1704 – 19 January 1795), Seigneur de Montgeoffroy, was a

Marshal of France Marshal of France (, plural ') is a French military distinction, rather than a military rank, that is awarded to General officer, generals for exceptional achievements. The title has been awarded since 1185, though briefly abolished (1793–1804) ...

and a major battlefield commander during the

Seven Years' War The Seven Years' War, 1756 to 1763, was a Great Power conflict fought primarily in Europe, with significant subsidiary campaigns in North America and South Asia. The protagonists were Kingdom of Great Britain, Great Britain and Kingdom of Prus ...

. 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 F ...

Early life

He was born on 19 October 1704 in Gizeux, in the

Duchy of Anjou The Duchy of Anjou (; , ; ) was a French province straddling the lower Loire. Its capital was Angers, and its area was roughly co-extensive with the diocese of Angers. Anjou was bordered by Brittany to the west, Maine to the north, Touraine ...

. He was the son of Gaspard de Contades (b. 1666) and his wife Jeanne-Marie Crespin de La Chabosselaye.

Career

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. In 1762, Contades was appointed governor of Alsace. In 1788, Contades became governor of Lorraine.

Personal life

In October 1724, he married Marie-Françoise Magon, daughter of François Magon, with issue: * Georges Gaspard François Auguste Jean Baptiste de Contades (1726–1794), who succeeded his father as the Marquis de Contades. * Françoise-Gertrude de Contades (1727–1776), who married Jean Charles Pierre de La Haye de Plouer. * Adrien-Maurice de Contades (b. 1736) About 1737, he had an affair with Marie-Hélène Moreau de Séchelles. He was reputed to be the father of: * Jean-Baptiste Martin Hérault de Séchelles (the father of Marie-Jean Hérault de Séchelles) He died at Livry on 19 January 1795.

References

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