Overview
Jean II d'O, sieur de Manou and Beauce (1552–1596) was a French noble, courtier, royal favourite, soldier and captain of the guard during the latter French Wars of Religion. Brother to the more famous François d'O, Manou began his career during the reign of Charles IX, entering the service of the king's brother Anjou at the time of the siege of La Rochelle in 1573. He travelled with Anjou upon his election as king of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and upon Anjou's return as Henri III of France he became first an échanson (cup-bearer) in 1574 then gentilhomme de la chambre by 1577 before finally being elevated to the prestigious post of captain of the guard in 1580. In 1575 he fought in the Fifth War of Religion and saw action under the overall command of the Duc de Guise at the Battle of Dormans.
In 1585 he became a chevalier (knight) of the Ordre du Saint-Esprit (Order of Saint-Esprit), the highest royal order of French chivalry. The following year he became a conseiller d'État (councillor of state). With the king at war with the Catholic Ligue (League) in 1589, Manou was with the king as he prepared to besiege Paris. He was therefore present for the assassination of the king on 1 August, and after some negotiations, remained loyal to the royalist cause by swearing loyalty to his Protestant successor Henri IV on condition of his conversion and the maintenance of his office. He died in 1596.
Early life and family
Jean II d'O was born in 1552 the son of Jean I d'O and Hélène d'Illiers. The couple was married in 1534 and would have six children. Jean I d'O served as the captain of François I's guardes éccosais (Scots guard). He was also the governor of Meulan and 'grand maréchal de Normandie' (grand marshal of Normandie). He died around 1563. Hélène d'Illiers was the dame de Manou.
Jean II's elder sister, Françoise d'O (1550–) married the royal favourite of Henri III the sieur de Maintenon. His elder brother, François d'O would become one of the king's closest favourites prior to his disgrace in 1581. He had three younger brothers:
René d'O (–1586) sieur de Fresnes and gentilhomme de la chambre du roi (gentleman of the king's chamber) in 1580;
Louis d'O (–1583) sieur de La Ferrière, who died in service of the duc d'Alençon in Nederland
Charles d'O sieur de La Ferrière, abbot of Saint-Étienne de Caen and Saint-Julien de Tours then gentilhomme de la chambre du roi in 1594.
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