Country Kingdom of France Founder Vincent Maupeou | Founded 16th century | |
 | ||
Titles Lord Chancellor of France
Keeper of the Seals
Controller-General of Finances | ||
The house of Maupeou is a french noble family from Île-de-France.
Contents
History
Vincent Maupeou, the house of Maupeou's founder, was a civil law notary at the Châtelet of Paris in the middle of the 16th century. His three sons, Pierre, Michel and Gilles were ennobled together by letters patent from king Henry III of France on 12 January 1587.
The name of the family became famous with René-Charles and René-Nicolas his son, both keepers of the Seals and lord chancellor under the reign of Louis XV of France. René-Nicolas is the author of the « Maupeou's coup d'état » : a spectacular tour de force aiming to take back the judiciary in 1771. The Dauphin, futur Louis XVI of France, had warmly approved the chancellor's reforms. But crowned King in 1774, he hurried to deny them. Maupeou was dismissed and had to return the Seals. In november, when the old parlements were called back, he just says : « If the king wants to lose his crown, he is master ». He will then live long enough to see him lose it.
Branches
The house of Maupeou is divided in four main genealogical branches, two remain today :