Brézé (surname)
The Brézé family was an old and distinguished French noble Angevin family.
History
The founder and most famous member of the family was Pierre [de Brézé], one of the trusted soldiers and statesmen of Charles VII. He was succeeded as seneschal of Normandy by his eldest son, Jacques de Brézé, count of Maulevrier; and then by his grandson, Louis de Brézé, husband of the famous Diane de Poitiers, whose tomb in Rouen Cathedral, attributed to Jean Goujon and Jean Cousin the Elder, is a splendid example of French Renaissance work.The lordship of Brézé passed eventually to Claire Clémence de Maillé, Princess of Condé, who sold it to Thomas Dreux, who took the name of Dreux-Brézé when it was erected into a marquisate. Henri [Evrard, marquis de Dreux-Brézé] succeeded his father as master of the ceremonies to Louis XVI in 1781. He died on 27 January 1829, when he was succeeded in the peerage and at court by his son Scipion.
Notable members of the Brézé family
- Pierre de Brézé, courtier and soldier
- Jacques de Brézé, Count of Maulevrier
- Charlotte de Brézé, illegitimate daughter of Charles VII of France
- Louis de Brézé, seigneur d'Anet, Sénéchal of Normandy and Master of the Hunt
- Françoise de Brézé, suo jure Countess of Maulévrier
- Louise de Brézé, Duchess of Aumale and Dame d'Anet
- Urbain de Maillé-Brézé, Marshal of France, Marquis de Brézé
- Claire Clémence de Maillé Brézé, Princess of Condé and Duchess of Fronsac
- Jean Armand de Maillé-Brézé, Admiral