Gaspard de Saulx

Gaspard de Saulx, sieur de Tavannes (1509 – 1575) was a French military leader during the Italian Wars and the French Wars of Religion.

Biography

He was born in Dijon.

As a page of King Francis I, he was made prisoner by the Imperials in the Battle of Pavia (1525). Later he distinguished himself in the War of Provence and in Battle of Ceresole of 1544.

In 1552 he conquered Metz and had an important role in the French victory at the Battle of Renty (1554). After the conquest of Calais in 1558, he was created General Governor of Bourgogne. In this role he was accused of excessive presecutions against the the Protestants, a trait he also displayed in the Huguenot Wars. In the course of the latter he was victorious at the battles of Jarnac and Moncontour. As a reward for his deeds, he was made Marshal of France on November 28 1570.

De Saulx had also a role in the massacre of the Night of St. Bartholomew (August 24 1572). In the October of the same year he was appointed as governor of Provence and Admiral of the Levant.

He died in his castle at Sully, and was buried in the Sainte Chapelle of Dijon.

His memoirs are an important primary source for the period.

References

* Oman, Charles. "A History of the Art of War in the Sixteenth Century." London: Methuen & Co., 1937.
* Forster, Robert. "House of Saulx-Tavanes: Versailles and Burgundy, 1700-1830." ISBN 080181247X. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1994.