Odet of Châtillon

ODET OF CHÂTILLON. - Apostate, son of the marshal de Châtillon and of Louise de Montmorency, b. on 10 July 1517, d. in London on 14 Feb. 1571. He was created cardinal, at the age of 16, on the occasion of the marriage of the dauphin Henry to Catherine de' Medici (1533), and took part in the Conclaves from which Paul III (1534) and Julius III (1550) emerged. From as early as 1544 he was bishop-count of Beauvais, peer of France, provided with rich abbeys and priories. In 1544 he transferred his patrimonial property to his brothers, Coligny and d'Andelot. A member of the Royal Council, he had a part in the conduct of French policy under Francis I and Henry II. He took part in the suppression of the conspiracy of Amboise (1560) and shortly afterwards went over to Protestantism (1561). A riot broke out against him at Beauvais; having then divested himself of his ecclesiastical titles, he assumed the title of count of Beauvais. He refused to present himself to Pope Pius IV (by whom he was excommunicated on 31 March 1563), out of spite resumed the cardinal's habit and married on 1 Dec. 1564 Isabella d'Hauteville, lady-in-waiting to the duchess of Savoy, continuing to sign himself as cardinal. Threatened during the wars of religion, he fled to England, where he was treated with every consideration by Elizabeth. He died poisoned by his valet.

Leone Cristiani