Philippe, Duke of Vendôme

Philippe de Bourbon, painting by Jacob Ferdinand Voet

Philippe de Bourbon, Duke of Vendôme the "Grand Prior" (1655–1727) was the fourth Duke of Vendôme. The Grand Prior for France in the Order of Malta, Vendôme held senior military positions throughout his life, in various command roles.

Life

Vendôme was born in 1655 to Louis de Bourbon, duc de Vendôme, and Laura Mancini. Among his earlier military campaigns was the Siege of Candia in 1669, during which he fought against Turkish forces. During the siege, his uncle, François de Vendôme, duc de Beaufort, was killed.

In his later position of Grand Prior for France in the Order of Malta, Vendôme was able to attain numerous military commands, fighting in engagements including Fleurus, Steenkirk and Marsaglia.

During the Spanish War of Succession Vendôme was briefly in command of French forces in Italy. The opposing Austrian forces were commanded by Prince Eugene of Savoy, a more skilled commander than Vendôme, whose brother Louis Joseph, another senior French commander, had to assist him during the Battle of Cassano. He was subsequently demoted to a position subordinate to that of his brother, and served in this role during further campaigning occurring in Flanders.

After the death of Louis-Joseph, Vendôme inherited his brother's ducal titles (except Duke of Penthièvre which had been sold to Marie Anne de Bourbon in 1696). He died without issue. The dukedom became extinct after his death.

Ancestry

Family of Philippe, Duke of Vendôme

16. Antoine de Bourbon, King of Navarre               8. Henry IV of France                       17. Jeanne III of Navarre               4. César de Bourbon, Legitimé de France, Duke of Vendôme                             18. Antoine d'Estrées               9. Gabrielle d'Estrées                       19. Françoise Babou de La Bourdaisière               2. Louis de Bourbon, Duke of Vendôme                                   20. Nicolas de Lorraine, Duke of Mercœur               10. Philippe Emmanuel de Lorraine, Duke of Mercœur                       21. Jeanne de Savoie               5. Françoise de Lorraine                             22. Sébastien, Duke of Penthièvre               11. Marie de Luxembourg                       23. Marie de Beaucaire               1. Philippe de Bourbon, Duke of Vendôme                                         24. Lorenzo II Mancini               12. Francesco Alessandro Paolo Mancini                       25. Olimpia Massimo               6. Lorenzo Mancini                             26. Vincent Capocci               13. Vittoria Capocci                       27. Lucrèce Glorieri               3. Laura Mancini                                   28. Girolamo Mazarini               14. Pietro Mazzarini                       29. Margherita de Franchis Passavera               7. Girolama Mazzarini                             30. Giulio Buffalini, Count of San Giustino               15. Ortensia Bufalini                       31. Francesca Belloni

References

• Les Bourbon-Vendôme

See also

French nobility
Preceded by Louis Joseph	Duc de Vendôme 1712–1727	Succeeded by extinct