During the early part of his political career he was a firm adherent of Mazarin, and is said to have helped to procure his return from exile. His private life gave rise to much scandal, but he had considerable learning, was an eloquent and persuasive speaker and had a great capacity for business. He secured the favour of Louis XIV by his support for the claims of the Gallican Church formulated by the declaration made by the clergy in assembly on 19 March 1682, when Bossuet accused him of truckling to the court like a valet.[1]
Though no official act has survived, it is reliably thought that Harlay officiated in a private ceremony at the king's marriage with Madame de Maintenon after a Mass celebrated by Père la Chaise, the king's confessor, and in the presence of only three witnesses, the Marquis de Montchevreuil, the Chevalier de Forbin and Alexandre Bontemps. Harlay was hated by the bride for using his influence with the king to keep the matter secret.[1]
He had a weekly audience of Louis XIV in company with Père la Chaise on the affairs of the Church in Paris, but his influence gradually declined, and Saint-Simon, who bore him no good will for his harsh attitude to the Jansenists, says that his friends deserted him as the royal favour waned, until at last most of his time was spent at his Château de Conflans (in Charenton-le-Pont)[2] in the company of Paule-Françoise de Gondi, duchess of Lesdiguieres, who alone was faithful to him.[1] Saint-Simon records that they were fond of walking through the magnificent gardens there, while a servant followed at a respectful distance to rake the gravel disturbed by their feet.
Harlay urged the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes and this took place in 1685.[1] As a result, Dieppe, of which he was temporal and spiritual lord, saw 3,000 of its Huguenot citizens flee abroad, partly it is said on account of Harlay's severity.
Personal life
Harlay de Champvallon died suddenly, without having received the sacraments, on 6 August 1695. His funeral discourse was delivered by Père Gaillard, and Mme de Sévigné made on the occasion the severe comment that there were only two trifles to make this a difficult matter — his life and his death.[1]
^The château got its name from its location near the confluence of the Seine and the Marne (F. Hamilton Hazlehurst, "Le Nostre at Conflans, Garden of the Archbishop of Paris", pp. 27–40, in The French Formal Garden, Washington, DC, Dumbarton Oaks, 1974). See also "Château de Conflans à Charenton-le-Pont".
References
Abbé Legendre, Vita Francisci de Harlay (Paris, 1720) and Eloge de Harlay (1695)
Saint-Simon, Mémoires (vol. ii., ed. A de Boislisle, 1879)
Numerous references in the Lettres of Mme de Sévigné.
.svg)
