House of Aumont


The family of d'Aumont is a French noble house which takes its name from Aumont, a small commune in the department of the Somme.
The dukedom of Aumont in the peerage of France was created in 1665 for Antoine d'Aumont de Rochebaron, Marquis of Isles. For over two centuries, the Dukes of Aumont held the position of First Gentleman of the Bedchamber to the king.

History

This illustrious family of great antiquity descends from Jean, sieur d'Aumont, who accompanied Louis IX on the Crusade. Already powerful by the 14th century, during the Hundred Years' War the Aumonts served as military commanders to the French kings. Towards the end of that century, the family changed sides to the Dukes of Burgundy, but transferred its loyalties back to the Kings of France after the death of Charles the Bold in 1477.
Jean V d'Aumont, a Lieutenant-General in the French Army and Governor of Burgundy, was a key player under Louis XII and Francis I.
Jean VI d'Aumont a Marshal of France and appointed an inaugural Knight of the Holy Spirit in 1578, fought against the Huguenots under the last of the Valois kings; he was among the first to recognize Henry IV, and was appointed Governor of Champagne and of Brittany, where he faced battles against the Catholic League. He died at the Château de Comper fighting Philippe Emmanuel, Duke of Mercœur, the League's leader. His grandson :fr:Antoine d'Aumont de Rochebaron|Antoine d'Aumont de Rochebaron was a Marshal of France, Governor of Paris, and first Duke of Aumont. He was Marquis of Villequier, Isle, Nolay and Chappes, as well as Baron of Estrabonnes, before being created Duke of Aumont and a Peer of France in 1665. He had played an important role in the Battle of Rethel in December 1650.
The family has also held positions of ecclesiastic notability. Roger D'Aumont was anointed Bishop of Avranche in the Catholic Diocese of Coutances, which includes the renowned abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel.

Dukes of Aumont

Armorial