Roger de Rabutin, Comte de Bussy, French author (b. 1618)

Roger de Rabutin, comte de Bussy, more widely known to history as Bussy-Rabutin, was a fascinating figure of 17th-century France. Born on April 13, 1618, and living until April 9, 1693, he carved out a reputation as a memoirist, soldier, and notorious wit whose sharp tongue and pen often landed him in significant trouble. A prominent member of a distinguished family from Burgundy, his father, Léonor de Rabutin, held the esteemed position of lieutenant general of the province of Nivernais, a testament to their social standing and influence.

Roger, though the third son, became the family's direct representative following the untimely deaths of his elder brothers, inheriting the responsibilities and expectations that came with such a lineage. His early education began at the Jesuit school in Autun, a rigorous academic environment, followed by further studies at the prestigious Collège de Clermont. However, the allure of military life proved irresistible, and at the remarkably young age of sixteen, he left his studies to embark on an army career. He swiftly engaged in several campaigns, eventually succeeding his father in the significant military office of mestre de camp, a commanding officer position. One of his early notable engagements was the 1634 siege of La Mothe-en-Bassigny in Lorraine, where he served under the seasoned leadership of Maréchal de La Force.

Bussy-Rabutin himself famously declared that his two overriding ambitions were to become an "honnête homme" and to distinguish himself through military valor. The concept of an "honnête homme" in 17th-century France signified a well-rounded, cultivated gentleman—someone not only intelligent and witty but also morally upright, urbane, and possessing integrity. Yet, Bussy's life often presented a stark contrast to this ideal. His early career, though marked by military action, was also marred by indiscretions. In 1641, he faced the wrath of Cardinal Richelieu, France's powerful chief minister, who had him imprisoned in the Bastille for several months. This severe punishment was a direct consequence of his perceived neglect of military duties, sacrificed, as the story goes, in his zealous pursuit of romantic gallantry.

A Life of Love, War, and Scandal

In 1643, Bussy-Rabutin married his cousin, Gabrielle de Toulongeon, and for a brief period, he stepped away from his military commitments. However, the call of duty, or perhaps ambition, soon beckoned him back to the field. By 1645, he had taken up his father's former position in the Nivernais and found himself serving under the renowned Prince de Condé in Catalonia. Tragedy struck the following year when Gabrielle died, leaving Bussy a widower. His personal life, however, remained far from quiet. He gained even greater notoriety through a scandalous attempt to abduct Madame de Miramion, a wealthy widow, a sensational affair that required a substantial payment from Bussy to finally settle. Subsequently, he married Louise de Rouville, settling into a new chapter of his often-tumultuous private life.

The mid-17th century saw France embroiled in the civil conflict known as the Fronde, a series of rebellions against the growing power of the monarchy. Initially, Bussy-Rabutin sided with the rebellious Prince de Condé. However, a perceived slight from the Prince led him to switch allegiance, joining the royalist cause, where he fought with notable distinction both in the civil war and in foreign campaigns. In 1655, he purchased the commission of mestre de camp, solidifying his military standing, and went on to serve under the formidable Maréchal Turenne in Flanders. He participated in several campaigns there, distinguishing himself notably at the pivotal Battle of the Dunes in 1658, a significant French victory. Despite his military prowess, Bussy's difficult temperament, characterized by a quarrelsome disposition, overweening vanity, and a penchant for composing libelous songs (chansons), made him a formidable enemy to many influential figures in both the army and the royal court.

The Infamous "Histoire Amoureuse" and Exile

Bussy-Rabutin's controversial nature reached a zenith in 1659 when he became embroiled in a scandal of epic proportions. He participated in an orgy at Roissy, near Paris, during the sacred observance of Holy Week, an act considered a grave offense against religious and moral propriety in deeply Catholic France. This sacrilegious transgression resulted in his immediate disgrace, and he was ordered to retire to his estates at Château de Bussy-Rabutin. During this enforced leisure, he sought amusement by composing his most infamous work, the Histoire amoureuse des Gaules (literally, "Amorous History of the Gauls"), written in 1660 for the entertainment of his ailing mistress, Madame de Montglas.

This book was a thinly veiled series of scandalous portraits and detailed accounts of the romantic intrigues of the leading ladies of the court. While undoubtedly witty, it was also profoundly ill-natured and highly critical, sparing no one, not even members of the royal family such as "Madame" (Henrietta of England, Duchess of Orléans) and the Queen Mother (Anne of Austria). The work circulated freely in manuscript form, quickly gaining notoriety and spawning numerous spurious sequels. Despite Bussy's vehement denials, wherein he blamed a former intimate, Madame de la Baume (Catherine de Bonne, Comtesse de Tallard), for copying and altering his manuscript without his knowledge, the damage was done. In a desperate attempt to appease King Louis XIV, Bussy presented what he claimed was his original manuscript, seemingly contradicting the scandalous reports. However, a subsequent private meeting, most likely between the King and Madame de la Baume, sealed Bussy's fate. On April 17, 1665, he was sent back to the Bastille, where he endured imprisonment for over a year. His liberation was conditional upon his permanent retirement to his estates, where he lived in involuntary exile for a long seventeen years.

Bussy-Rabutin keenly felt the disgrace, but the forced termination of his military career was an even more bitter pill to swallow. His life of courtly intrigue and military action was over. In 1682, he was finally granted permission to revisit the court, but the decidedly cold reception he received convinced him that his provincial exile was preferable. He returned to his beloved Burgundy, where he ultimately passed away in 1693.

A Lasting Literary Legacy

Despite his scandals and exiles, Roger de Rabutin's intellectual prowess was recognized. He had been elected to the prestigious Académie française in 1665, an honor he retained until his death. His literary contributions, often overshadowed by his scandalous reputation, are nevertheless significant:

Histoire amoureuse des Gaules
This notorious work, while a primary source of his troubles, is also his most famous. It draws inspiration from the style of Petronius, particularly in its most striking and satirical passages. Its enduring appeal lies in its famously critical portraits, including those of his cousin Madame de Sévigné and the Prince de Condé, alongside its unique and engaging narrative style, offering a rare, if jaundiced, glimpse into courtly life.
Mémoires
Published posthumously, Bussy-Rabutin's Mémoires are lively and characteristic, possessing the captivating charm of an adventurous historical romance. They offer invaluable insights into his experiences and perspectives during a tumultuous period of French history.
Correspondence
His voluminous correspondence is a treasure trove of 17th-century life and thought, rivaling in variety and interest all but that of his celebrated cousin, Madame de Sévigné. Indeed, her own famous letters first appeared within Bussy's published collection, underscoring their intertwined literary legacies.

Beyond these well-known works, Bussy also penned other significant pieces. His comprehensive Genealogy of the Rabutin Family remained in manuscript form until its publication in 1867. His military treatise, Considérations sur la guerre ("Considerations on War"), saw its first publication in Dresden in 1746. He also crafted a series of biographies for the edification of his children, where he somewhat ironically used his own eventful life to impart moral lessons. For literary and historical scholars alike, Bussy-Rabutin's writings continue to offer rich material, making him an indispensable figure in understanding the social and cultural landscape of 17th-century France.

FAQs About Bussy-Rabutin

Who was Roger de Rabutin, comte de Bussy?
Roger de Rabutin, comte de Bussy, commonly known as Bussy-Rabutin, was a 17th-century French nobleman, memoirist, and soldier. He was known for his military career, his scandalous courtly life, and his insightful, often critical, literary works.
What was the "Histoire amoureuse des Gaules"?
It was Bussy-Rabutin's most famous and scandalous book, written in 1660. It consisted of a series of witty but often ill-natured portraits and accounts of the romantic intrigues of prominent ladies at the French court, which ultimately led to his imprisonment and exile.
Why was Bussy-Rabutin sent to the Bastille and exiled?
His initial imprisonment in 1641 was for neglecting military duties for gallantry. His second, and more significant, imprisonment in 1665, followed by a 17-year exile, was due to the immense scandal caused by his book, the Histoire amoureuse des Gaules, which was perceived as slandering members of the royal family and the court.
What was his relationship with Madame de Sévigné?
Bussy-Rabutin was the cousin and a frequent correspondent of the renowned French letter-writer Madame de Sévigné. Their extensive correspondence is a valuable historical and literary resource, with her letters even first appearing within his published collection.
What does "honnête homme" mean in the context of Bussy's ambitions?
In 17th-century France, an "honnête homme" was an ideal of a cultivated gentleman—someone who was intelligent, witty, urbane, well-mannered, and morally upright. Bussy aspired to this ideal, but his life often showcased a conflict between this aspiration and his more rebellious and scandalous nature.
What other significant works did Bussy-Rabutin write?
Besides the Histoire amoureuse des Gaules, his posthumously published Mémoires are highly regarded for their lively historical accounts. He also produced a voluminous collection of correspondence, a Genealogy of the Rabutin Family, and the military treatise Considérations sur la guerre.