Overview
Henri de Silly, seigneur de La Roche-Guyon, damoiseau de Commercy, baron d'Aquigny (5 September 1551–1586) was a French noble, military commander, and courtier during the French Wars of Religion. The eldest son of Louis de Silly, seigneur de La Roche-Guyon and Anne de Laval, he initially entered the service of the duc d'Anjou brother to the king. After the death of Charles IX, Anjou returned to France as Henri III. He served in the new king's household as either an écuyer or échanson (squire or cupbearer) before becoming a gentilhomme de la chambre (gentleman of the king's chamber). He was infuriated when Jeanne de Cossé, who had been due to marry him, was instead married to the king's favourite Saint-Luc and departed court. Affiliating himself with the king's brother the duc d'Alençon he raised troops in Normandie for indeterminate purpose. He further involved himself in plots to both kidnap and poison Henri III.
In response Henri declared him an outlaw and issued a warrant for his arrest. La Roche-Guyon fled to the lands of the duc de Lorraine where he engaged in further conspiracy with the mercenary commander Pfalz-Simmern, discussing a trade of his lands in Lorraine for a mercenary army with which to invade France, this would not come to pass. In early 1585 he allied himself with the rebellious Catholic Ligue (League) and fought against the crown under the command of the duc d'Elbeuf in Normandie. After the peace in July, he was inducted as a chevalier into the royal order of Saint-Esprit in December. He died in 1586 and was succeeded to his titles by his son François de Silly, duc de La Roche-Guyon.
Early life and family
Henri de Silly was born on 5 September 1551 the son of Louis de Silly, seigneur de La Roche-Guyon, baron de Louvois and his wife Anne de Laval dame d'Aquigny and La Rochepot, who was the daughter of Guy XVI de Laval and Anne de Montmorency. His parents were married in 1539.
The Silly family were part of the French noblesse seconde (secondary nobility). His younger brother was the comte de La Rochepot.
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