Token - Louis-Auguste de Bourbon - Duke of Maine

Reverse

A smoking volcano

Script: Latin

Lettering:
CONDIT QUOS NON VOMIT IGNES
ARTILLERIE.
1711

Translation: it keeps in reserve the fires it has not spit out.

Edge

Milled

Comment

Louis Auguste de Bourbon, Duc du Maine, Duc d'Aumale, Prince de Dombes, Comte d'Eu, born in Saint-Germain-en-Laye on March 31, 1670, and died in Sceaux on May 21, 1736, was the legitimate son of Louis XIV and Madame de Montespan.

From birth, he was cared for by the widow Scarron, future Marquise de Maintenon, who was already looking after his elder sister (who died the same year). The child was born crippled and limped for the rest of his life (hence the nickname "Gambillard"). He quickly became her favorite. His protection served him well during the reign of Louis XIV. He was legitimized in December 1673. In January 1674, he moved to the Court with his brothers and governess.

In the same year, he was appointed Colonel General of the Swiss and Grisons. Pious and self-effacing, he studied with great care. However, despite the efforts of Marshal de Luxembourg, his understanding of military science was mediocre, and he subsequently proved to be a poor officer.

In 1681, the Grande Mademoiselle, wanting to marry her lover the Duc de Lauzun, who had been blackmailed by Mme de Maintenon, ceded him the principality of Dombes and the county of Eu. In 1682, he was promoted to Governor of Languedoc. In 1686, he became Duc d'Aumale and Knight of the Order of the Holy Spirit, Royalty's highest honor. In 1688, he was promoted by the King to General of the Galleys, then Lieutenant General. At the age of 18, he wished to take a wife, but the king, concerned that his illegitimate children should not be born, refused for some time.

The king, his father, having married his bastard daughters to princes of his own blood and faced with a European coalition fighting against his expansionist policy (the War of the League of Augsburg), then thought of having him marry his niece, Élisabeth Charlotte d'Orléans, who, going to seed, could not find a husband of her rank because of the aforementioned war. However, the king was refused by his sister-in-law, the famous Princess Palatine. On May 19, 1692, the Duke married Mademoiselle de Charolais, daughter of the Prince de Condé. They had seven children, all without issue.