Duke of Fronsac

The Duke of Fronsac (duc de Fronsac) was a high-ranking noble of the French court, first created by promoting the Seigneurie of Fronsac to a duchy in 1608, but came to extinction just a few decades later. The title was revived for Armand Jean Cardinal du Plessis, better known as Cardinal de Richelieu, in 1634, surviving until the 19th century.

First creation

The title of duc de Fronsac was first created in 1608 for the House of Longueville, a bastard-cadet branch of the House of Valois. The mother of the first duke, Anne de Caumont (1574–1642), held the lesser title of marquis de Fronsac when her son was created a more senior duke. The duchy became extinct after the 1st duke died without an heir and the title passed to his father who had no other issue.

In 1608, Léonor II d'Orléans (1605–1622) was created 1st Duke of Fronsac and held the title until his death in January 1622. Having no heir, the title was passed to his father.
Beginning in 1622 the duchy was in the possession of the 1st duke's father, François III d'Orléans (1570–1631), 2nd Duke of Fronsac, Duke of Château-Thierry and Count of Saint-Pol. Having no other heirs after his only son preceded him in death, the title became extinct when François III died in 1632.

Second creation

In 1634, the title of duc de Fronsac was revived for Armand Jean Cardinal du Plessis, who already held the title of Duke of Richelieu. The title of Duke of Fronsac was often used by the dukes of Richelieu as a titre d'attente, or courtesy title, for the heir to the Duchy of Richelieu.

From 1634 to 1642 the title was held by Armand Jean Cardinal du Plessis (1585–1642), 1st Duke of Riechelieu and of Fronsac.
From 1642 to 1646 the duchy was held by the cardinal-duc's nephew, Jean Armand de Maillé-Brézé (1613–1646), 2nd Duke of Riechelieu and of Fronsac, Marquis de Brézé.
The title was inherited in 1646 by the former's sister, Claire Clémence de Maillé (1628–1694), Princess of Condé 3rd Duchess of Riechelieu and of Fronsac, but ceded the title in 1674 to her cousin.
From 1674 to 1715 the duchy was held by Armand Jean de Vignerot du Plessis (1629–1715), 4th Duke of Riechelieu and of Fronsac.
From 1715 to 1788 the title was held by Louis François Armand de Vignerot du Plessis (1696–1788), 5th Duke of Riechelieu and of Fronsac. He was known from birth as the duc de Fronsac as a courtesy.
From 1788 to 1791 Louis Antoine Sophie de Vignerot du Plessis (1736–1791) held the title of 6th Duke of Riechelieu and of Fronsac. As a courtesy he was known as the duc de Fronsac as his father held the more senior title of duc de Richelieu.
From 1791 to 1822 the duchy was held by Armand Emmanuel de Vignerot du Plessis (1766–1822), 7th Duke of Riechelieu and of Fronsac and Prime Minister of France from 1815 to 1818 and 1820 to 1821. He was known by the courtesy title comte de Chinon from birth, the title of duc de Fronsac being used as a courtesy for his father until the death of the 5th duke in 1788 when his father inherited the more senior title of duc de Richelieu and Armand Emmanuel in turn received the courtesy of duc de Fronsac.

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