CÉSAR D'ESTRÉES. — Cardinal, b. in Paris on 5 Feb. 1628, d. there on 18 Dec. 1714. Son of Francesco Annibale, doctor of the Sorbonne, he was appointed Bishop of Laon; revealing himself as a skilled diplomat, he received assignments from the king in Germany and Spain.
Ambassador to the Holy See, he supported the interests of the crown with strenuous zeal, not infrequently employing bold and even overbearing methods that earned him severe censure from the Pope. He obtained the red hat from Clement X on 5 Feb. 1671 (published 16 May 1672). He took part in four conclaves; he contributed to the election of Clement XI. He played a part in the composition of the so-called
CÉSAR D'ESTRÉES — EXTREME UNCTION
Clementine peace (1609) concerning the four Jansenist bishops, and in the condemnation of Molinos and other Quietists. He accompanied Philip V to Spain, where he remained for several years. A member of the French Academy, he was in contact with the most illustrious men of his time, exercising a discreet influence among them; he resigned the see of Laon in 1618 and received from the King the Abbey of St-Germain-des-Prés, where he died at the age of 87.