MONTMORENCY, ANNE de. – Born at Chantilly on 12 Nov. 1493, died at Saint-Denis on 12 Nov. 1567. He was given the name Anne by his godmother Anne of Brittany. He enjoyed the full favour of Francis I and took part in his campaigns. He was taken prisoner with him at Pavia; then, upon his release, he was given the governorship of Languedoc. As lieutenant-general, and later as constable, he defeated the imperial forces and in 1537 reconquered Piedmont.
When the cession of the Milanese by Charles V to his son Philip dashed all French hopes of recovering that province, Montmorency, who had become an advocate of peaceful agreement with the Emperor, fell from favour and left the court. He returned, however, under Henry II, of whom he long remained the most trusted counsellor. In 1551 he was created duke and peer. In the campaign of 1552–54 he suffered repeated defeats and at Saint-Quentin was taken prisoner. Yet the king retained his confidence, enabling him to conduct the negotiations for the Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis. He later took part in the Wars of Religion and in 1567, while defending Paris against the Calvinists, was defeated at Saint-Denis, refused to surrender, and was mortally wounded.