Page "Cardinal Richelieu" Paragraph 12

Richelieu advanced politically by faithfully serving the Queen's favourite, Concino Concini, the most powerful minister in the kingdom.

In 1616, Richelieu was made Secretary of State, and was given responsibility for foreign affairs.

Like Concini, the Bishop was one of the closest advisors of Louis XIII's mother, Marie de Médicis.

The Queen had become Regent of France when the nine-year old Louis ascended the throne ; although her son reached the legal age of majority in 1614, she remained the effective ruler of the realm.

However, her policies, and those of Concini, proved unpopular with many in France.

As a result, both Marie and Concini became the targets of intrigues at court ; their most powerful enemy was Charles de Luynes.

In April 1617, in a plot arranged by Luynes, King Louis XIII ordered that Concini be arrested, and killed should he resist ; Concini was consequently assassinated, and Marie de Médicis overthrown.

His patron having died, Richelieu also lost power ; he was dismissed as Secretary of State, and was removed from the court.

In 1618, the King, still suspicious of the Bishop of Luçon, banished him to Avignon.

There, Richelieu spent most of his time writing ; he composed a catechism entitled L ' Instruction du chrétien.