François d'Aydie
François d'Aydie, vicomte de Ribérac (c. 1550 –29 April 1578) was a French noble, courtier and favourite of Henri III and the duke of Guise during the French Wars of Religion. The son of Guy d'Aydie and Marie de Foix-Candale, Ribérac enjoyed a highly prominent position among the nobility of south west France. During the reign of Henri III he arrived at court and was among those favoured by the king, who financially supported his mother, afforded his clients offices and elevated to him a position in his household as gentilhomme ordinaire de la chambre.
François d'Aydie | |
|---|---|
| vicomte de Ribérac | |
Town hall of Ribérac | |
| Born | c. 1550 |
| Died | 29 April 1578, Paris |
| Noble family | Maison d'Aydie |
| Father | Guy d'Aydie |
| Mother | Marie de Foix-Candale |
On 28 April 1578, after having successfully harried Alençon from court, he affiliated himself with the duke of Guise in the confrontations between the favourites of court that followed. During the famous Duel of the Mignons he fought as a second for Entraguet, favourite to Guise against Caylus, Maugiron and Livarot for the king. In the combat that followed he faced off against Maugiron, and killed the favourite, but fell forward onto his opponents sword. Pulled from the field, he died the following day at the hôtel de Guise.