Charles de Montsaulnin, Comte de Montal
Charles de Montsaulnin, Comte de Montal | |
|---|---|
Montal's birthplace, the Château des Aubues, shortly before its destruction in the 19th century | |
| Governor of Maritime Flanders | |
| In office 1693–1696 | |
| Governor of Mont-Royal | |
| In office 1687–1692 | |
| Governor of Maubeuge and Dinant | |
| In office 1678–1684 | |
| Governor of Charleroi | |
| In office 1668–1678 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1619 Château des Aubues, near Lormes, Nièvre |
| Died | 21 September 1696 (aged 77) Dunkirk |
| Resting place | Saint-Brisson, Nièvre |
| Nationality | French |
| Spouse | Gabrielle de Solage de Frédault (1634–?) |
| Children | Louis (1648–1686); François-Ignace (ca 1650–1691); François (1653–1672); Cassandre-Marie (? – 1695) |
| Occupation | Soldier |
| Awards | Order of the Holy Spirit 1688 |
| Military service | |
| Years of service | 1638-1696 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Battles/wars | |
Charles de Montsaulnin, Comte de Montal, c. 1619 to 1696, was a French military officer and noble from Nièvre. A close friend of Le Grand Condé, his military career began in 1638 and he subsequently fought in many of the wars of Louis XIV of France.
During the Fronde, he was one of the few to follow Condé into exile in Spain. Pardoned by Louis XIV in 1659, he was particularly well-regarded for his defensive expertise, and worked for many years with French military engineer Vauban, a neighbour from the same region.
Montal served as Governor of a number of key towns, including Charleroi, occupied by France from 1668 to 1678 and now in Belgium. 'Rue Montal' was named after him by the city council in 1860.