Blaise de Monluc

Blaise de Monluc Order of Saint Michael
Blaise de Monluc, 16th century painting.
Lieutenant-General of Guyenne
In office 1562–1567
Military governor of Siena
In office February 1554 – April 1555
Military governor of Moncalieri
In office March 1548 – September 1549
Personal details
Born	1500–1502 Saint-Puy
Died	24 July 1577 Château de Monluc, Estillac
Nationality	French
Spouse(s)	(1) Antoinette Ysalguier (died 1562); (2) Isabeau de Beauville
Children	(1) Four sons, three daughters; (2) Three daughters
Residence	Château de Monluc
Occupation	Soldier
Military service
Rank	Marshal of France 1574
Battles/wars	Italian Wars Pavia 1525; Naples 1528  (WIA); Defence of Marseille 1536; Perpignan 1542; Ceresole 1544; Boulogne 1546; Siege of Siena 1555; Thionville 1558 French Wars of Religion Vergt 1562

Blaise de Monluc, also known as Blaise de Lasseran-Massencôme, seigneur de Monluc, (c. 1502 – 24 July 1577) was a professional soldier whose career began in 1521 and reached the rank of marshal of France in 1574. Written between 1570 and 1576, an account of his life titled Commentaires de Messire Blaise de Monluc was published in 1592, and remains an important historical source for 16th century warfare.

Born into a family of impoverished Gascon nobility, he rose to prominence during the Italian Wars and was appointed Lieutenant-General of Guyenne in January 1562, shortly before the outbreak of the French Wars of Religion. Fighting for the French crown, he soon gained a reputation as a brutal but effective commander, winning the critical Battle of Vergt in 1562. He was badly injured in July 1570 and dismissed for alleged corruption soon after, dying at home in Estillac on 24 July 1577.