The Duke of Sully
Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully, is the emblematic character of Sully-sur-Loire Castle. Marshall of France, he was a protestant soldier and a companion in arms of King Henry IV. He also became one of the King’s main advisors.
Simplified timeline of the Duke of Sully’s life:
1559: Maximilien de Béthune is born in Rosny-sur-Seine Castle (Yvelines)
1572: In Paris, during the wedding of Henri de Navarre, future Henry IV, Maximilien de Béthune meets him, shortly before the St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre (24 August 1572)
1598: He is appointed to the crucial post of Superintendent of Finances
1599: He becomes Grand Commissioner of Public Works in France, Superintendent of Fortifications, then Grand Master of the Artillery
1602: Maximilien de Béthune purchases Sully-sur-Loire Castle off Claude de La Trémoïlle
1606: Maximilien de Béthune receives the title of Duke of Sully and Peer of France. He is also appointed as Superintendent of the King’s Buildings
1611: Six months after the assassination of Henry IV (14 May 1610), the Duke of Sully progressively resigns from all his posts
1638: The Royal Savings (Les Oeconomies Royales), the Duke of Sully’s memoirs, are printed in Sully-sur-Loire Castle
1641: The Duke of Sully dies in Villebon Castle (Eure-et-Loir) at the age of 82.
