Quick Facts
Biography
Jacques Henri de Durfort, Duke of Duras (9 October 1625 – 12 October 1704) was marshal of France.
Life
Jacques Henri was the oldest son of Guy Aldonce de Durfort (1605–1665), marquis of Duras, count of Rozan and of Lorges, maréchal de camp and of Élisabeth de La Tour d'Auvergne, sister of Henri de La Tour d'Auvergne, better known as Turenne.
His brother, Guy Aldonce de Durfort de Lorges, was also a Marshal of France. He served first under his uncle, Turenne, and under Condé ; he distinguished himself at Mariendal, and Alerheim.
In 1651 he followed Condé into rebellion, but came back into the service of the king in 1657, with the title of lieutenant-general. He played a major part in the conquest of Franche-Comté ; and was named by Louis XIV governor of that province and marshal in 1675. In 1689 he took part in the destruction of the Palatinate during the War of the Grand Alliance.
He married Marguerite Félice de Lévis, daughter of Charles de Lévis, Duke of Ventadour and Marie de La Guiche. Marguerite Félice was the sister in law of Charlotte de La Mothe Houdancourt and aunt of the Duchess of Rohan-Rohan.
The Duc de Saint-Simon, who married his niece, speaks highly of him in his memoirs and notes that he was in such favour with Louis XIV that he " could more or less say what he pleased."