Story Highlights
- Historical event
- 10 August 1723
- Cardinals had a special position in European states because their rank was equal to that of a crown prince (they were sometimes called “Princes of the Church”).
Cardinal Guillaume Dubois, one of the four cardinals of the Catholic Church who served as Chief Ministers of the French king, died on this day in 1723.
Cardinal Dubois was the third of the mentioned four cardinals, the first one being Cardinal Richelieu, who served under Louis XIII, while the second Cardinal Mazarin, who served under Louis XIV.
Dubois was the Chief Minister during the early years of Louis XV, and his position was later inherited by Cardinal Fleury. It appears that Dubois is today the least known among the four.
Cardinal Dubois was born in Brive-la-Gaillarde in the French province of Limousin. He became influential as the tutor of the young Duke of Chartres, who later attained the title of Duke of Orleans, thus becoming the leading man in French politics (he was the regent of his underage cousin Louis XV).
When the Duke of Orleans became regent, Dubois, as his confidant, was logically chosen as Chief Minister.
As a member of the Church, Dubois became the Archbishop of Cambrai, and later a cardinal. It is very important to note that European cardinals had a special position in European states because their rank was equal to that of a crown prince (they were sometimes called “Princes of the Church”).
For example, cardinals were allowed to sit down in the presence of kings and other sovereign rulers, unlike most aristocrats, who were required to remain standing.
Cardinal Dubois died in paris in 1723, aged 66. King Louis XV was only 13 years old when Dubois died. He was declared an adult in the same year and continued to rule until his death, a full 50 years later.
