Louis Henri, Duke of Bourbon (b. 1692)

Louis Henri, Duke of Bourbon, frequently referred to as Louis Henri I, Prince of Condé (18 August 1692 – 27 January 1740), was a highly influential figure within the French aristocracy and a significant statesman during the early 18th century. He served as the recognized head of the Bourbon-Condé, a prominent cadet branch of France's reigning House of Bourbon, from 1710 until his death. His political career reached its zenith when he served as Prime Minister to his young kinsman, King Louis XV, for a crucial period from 1723 to 1726.

As the eldest son of Louis III, Prince of Condé, and Louise Françoise de Bourbon, who was herself a legitimized daughter of King Louis XIV, Louis Henri inherited a distinguished lineage directly connected to the French throne. Upon his father's death in 1709, he officially succeeded as the head of the prestigious House of Condé, thereby becoming the Prince of Condé. However, Louis Henri made a notable personal choice: he never formally used the title Prince of Condé. Instead, he consistently preferred the title of Duke of Bourbon. At the royal court of Versailles, he was almost universally known and addressed by the unique honorific "Monsieur le Duc," a specific designation that underscored his senior status among the princes of the blood and set him apart from his predecessors. This preference reflected a desire to distinguish himself and perhaps to emphasize his direct ducal title rather than the more broadly held princely one.

By virtue of his birth into the reigning House of Bourbon, Louis Henri held the esteemed rank of a "prince du sang," or a prince of the blood royal. This designation was far more than a mere title; it signified that he was a direct male-line descendant of a French king, thereby theoretically eligible to succeed to the throne should the main line of the House of Bourbon ever become extinct. This elevated status granted him immense prestige, significant influence at court, and a vital role in the ceremonial and political life of the French monarchy.

Louis Henri's most impactful role in French governance was his tenure as Prime Minister to King Louis XV. This appointment came at a pivotal moment in French history, following the end of the long Regency period of Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, and the formal coming of age of the young monarch. During his three-year premiership (1723-1726), Louis Henri embarked on several key initiatives, though his time in power was marked by both significant accomplishments and considerable challenges:

• Arranging the Royal Marriage: Perhaps his most enduring legacy was his successful arrangement of King Louis XV's marriage to Maria Leszczyńska, the daughter of the deposed King Stanislas I of Poland. While initially viewed by some as a less prestigious match, this union proved critical for securing the Bourbon dynastic succession, leading to numerous offspring, including the Dauphin Louis Ferdinand.
• Fiscal Reforms and Opposition: Grappling with France's perpetual financial difficulties, Louis Henri attempted to implement new taxation measures, most notably the "cinquantième," a 5% tax on all incomes. These reforms, however, met with widespread resistance from the privileged nobility and the powerful regional Parlements, highlighting the deep-seated structural issues within the Ancien Régime's financial system.
• Religious Policy: His administration also adopted a more stringent stance against Protestants, reinforcing traditional Catholic orthodoxy and resuming some of the repressive measures that had been somewhat relaxed during the Regency. This reflected a prevailing conservative religious sentiment at court.
• Influence of Madame de Prie: A notable characteristic of his premiership was the significant influence wielded by his ambitious mistress, Madame de Prie. Her involvement in political decisions and appointments was widely perceived at court and contributed to criticisms regarding the Duke's independence and political acumen.

Despite his efforts, Louis Henri's period as Prime Minister was relatively short-lived. His political style, often perceived as indecisive or overly influenced by his mistress, along with the unpopularity of some of his fiscal policies, led to increasing dissatisfaction at court. Crucially, he faced a powerful rival in Cardinal André-Hercule de Fleury, King Louis XV's former tutor, who steadily gained the young King's trust and confidence. Fleury's growing authority ultimately led to Louis Henri's abrupt dismissal from office in 1726, after which Cardinal Fleury effectively assumed the reins of power as the King's chief minister, a role he would hold for many years.

Following his removal from active political life, Louis Henri retired from the court and devoted his remaining years to his private affairs and the administration of his vast estates. He passed away in 1740. While his premiership was brief and overshadowed by the longer and more stable administration of Cardinal Fleury, Louis Henri's role as head of one of France's foremost princely houses and his direct involvement in shaping the early years of Louis XV's personal reign secure his place as a significant, albeit complex, figure in 18th-century French history.

Frequently Asked Questions about Louis Henri, Duke of Bourbon

Who was Louis Henri, Duke of Bourbon, and what was his primary historical significance?

Louis Henri, Duke of Bourbon (1692-1740), also known as Louis Henri I, Prince of Condé, was the head of the powerful Bourbon-Condé branch of the French royal family. His primary historical significance stems from his brief but impactful tenure as Prime Minister of France under King Louis XV from 1723 to 1726, during which he influenced key decisions, most notably the King's marriage.

Why did he prefer to be called "Duke of Bourbon" instead of "Prince of Condé"?

Although he inherited the title of Prince of Condé in 1709, Louis Henri preferred the title Duke of Bourbon and was commonly known at court as "Monsieur le Duc." This was a personal preference that distinguished him from previous Condé princes and served as a unique honorific highlighting his senior status as the head of the House of Condé and a prince of the blood, while still being directly connected to the Bourbon royal lineage.

What does "prince du sang" mean in the context of Louis Henri's life?

"Prince du sang" translates to "prince of the blood" and was a highly prestigious rank in the French monarchy. It indicated that Louis Henri was a direct male-line descendant of a French king (specifically, Louis XIV through his mother) and, as such, held a theoretical claim to the throne in the event that the direct royal line should ever die out. This status granted him significant influence and a leading position in court hierarchy.

What were some of Louis Henri's major actions or policies as Prime Minister?

As Prime Minister, Louis Henri notably orchestrated the marriage of King Louis XV to Maria Leszczyńska, which secured the royal succession. He also attempted to implement fiscal reforms, such as the unpopular "cinquantième" tax, and pursued more stringent religious policies against Protestants. His administration was also characterized by the considerable political influence of his mistress, Madame de Prie.

Why did Louis Henri's premiership end, and who replaced him?

Louis Henri's tenure as Prime Minister ended in 1726 due to a combination of factors, including the unpopularity of some of his policies, perceived political indecisiveness, and the strong influence of Madame de Prie. Crucially, he was replaced by Cardinal André-Hercule de Fleury, King Louis XV's highly respected former tutor, who had gradually gained the King's full confidence and subsequently served as his chief minister for many years.