The present state of France containing a general description of that kingdom corrected and purged from the many gross mistakes in the French copy, enriched with additional observations and remarks of the new compiler, and digested into a method conformable to that of the state of England / by R.W. ...

CHAP. XXVII.

Of the Ecclesiastical Division of France, into Archbishopricks and Bishopricks, and of its Clergy.

THE Kings Collates, or Presents within his Do∣minions, to 18 Archbishopricks, 107 Bishop∣ricks, to about 750 Abbies of Men, besides those that have been united to other Communities, or Benefices, and to above 200 Abbies of Nuns; and as the Conquests of Majesty increase, so the number of Benefices in his nomination, must needs propor∣tionably increase too.

The Archbishopricks, and Bishopricks, according to their Alphabetical Order are these.

The 18 Archbishopricks are

• 1. AIx.
• 2. Alby.
• 3. Ambrun.
• 4. Arles.
• 5. Auch.
• 6. Besançon.
• 7. Bourdeaux.
• 8. Bourges.
• 9. Cambray.
• 10. Lyons.
• 11. Narbon.
• 12. Paris.
• 13. Reims.
• 14. Rouen.
• 15. Sens.
• 16. Toulouze.
• 17. Tours.
• 18. Vienna.

The 107 Bishopricks are

• 1. AGde.
• 2. Agen.
• 3. Aire.
• 4. Alet.
• 5. Amiens.
• 6. Angiers.
• ...

• 7. Angoulême.
• 8. Apt.
• 9. Arras.
• 10. Auranche.
• 11. Autun.
• 12. Auxerre.
• 13. Bayeux.
• 14. Bayonne.
• 15. Bazas.
• 16. Beauvais.
• 17. Bellay.
• 18. Bethlehem.
• 19. Beziers.
• 20. Boulogne.
• 21. St. Brien.
• 22. Cahors.
• 23. Carcassone.
• 24. Castres.
• 25. Cisteron.
• 26. Chaalons.
• 27. Chartres.
• 28. Clermont.
• 29. Cominges.
• 30. Condom.
• 31. Cornoüaille.
• 32. Conserans.
• 33. Coutance.
• 34. De Dax.
• 35. Digne.
• 36. Dol.
• 37. Evreux.
• 38. De Helne, or Perpig∣nan.
• 39. St. Flour.
• 40. Frejus.
• 41. Gap.
• 42. Geneva.
• 43. Glandeve.
• 44. Grace.
• 45. Grenoble.
• 46. Laitoure.
• 47. Langres.
• 48. Laon.
• 49. Lavaur.
• 50. Leon.
• 51. Lescar.
• 52. Limoges.
• 53. Lizieux.
• 54. Lodeve.
• 55. Lombez.
• 56. Luçon.
• 57. Maçon.
• 58. St. Malo.
• 59. Mande.
• 60. Du Mans.
• 61. Marseilles.
• 62. Meaux.
• 63. Mets.
• 64. Mire-Poix.
• 65. Montauban.
• 66. Montpellier.
• 67. Nantes.
• 68. Nevers.
• 69. Nice.
• 70. Nimes.
• 71. Noyon.
• 72. Oleron.
• 73. St. Omer.
• 74. Orange.
• 75. Orleans.
• 76. Pamiers.
• 77. St. Papoul.
• 78. St. Paul trois Chate∣aux, or St. Paul 3 Ca∣stles.
• 79. Perigueux, Perpignan, vide Elne.
• 80. Poitiers.
• ...

• 81. St. Pol de Lion.
• 82. St. Pons de Tomiers.
• 83. Le Puy.
• 84. Rennes.
• 85. Rieux.
• 86. Riez.
• 87. La Rochelle.
• 88. Rodez.
• 89. Saintes, or Yaintes.
• 90. Sars.
• 91. Sarlat.
• 92. Senez.
• 93. Senlis.
• 94. Soissons.
• 95. Strasburg.
• 96. Tarbas.
• 97. Toul.
• 98. Toulon.
• 99. Tournay.
• 100. Treguier.
• 101. Troyes.
• 102. Vabres.
• 103. Valenco & Die.
• 104. Vannes.
• 105. Vence.
• 106. Verdun.
• 107. Viviers.
• 108. Ʋzais.
• 109. Ypres.

Where Note, That Valence and Die is a double Title, and the Bishopricks of Geneva and Nice, be∣long to the Duke of Savoy, and are only named, be∣cause part of them lie in the Territories of the King of France.

Now they follow according to the Order they are commonly placed in.

1. And first, because Paris is the Capital City of the Kingdom, the ordinary Residence of our Kings; and of the whole Court, the Seat of the first and most August Parliament, of the first University of Europe, and of so many Famous and Illustrious Men, I have thought fit to so many other Preroga∣tives and Primacies, which it has above all other Cities of France, to add that of naming it first a∣mong the Archbishopricks, though it be but of late Creation, with its three Suffragans, which could not well be separated from it.

In placing the rest we shall follow the Ancient Division, Secundum Notitiam Imperii, and the Or∣der of that considerable Book called, Gallia Chri∣stiana;

or Description of France since made Chri∣stian.

1. The Archbishoprick of Paris, has three Bish∣opricks within its Jurisdiction, viz. Chartres, Meaux, and Orleans. The present Archbishop is Francis de Harlay, Duke and Peer of France, Provisour of the Sorbonne, &c. A Person of noble Extraction, Learned, Eloquent, and very Courteous.

The Bishop of Chartres, is Ferdinand de Neufville, Councellour of State in Ordinary, &c.

The present Bishop of Meaux, is James Benigne Bossuet, late Preceptor, or Tutor, to the Dauphin, Famous for Controversy.

The Bishop of Orleans, is Peter de Cambout de Coislin, first Almoner to the King, &c.

There are in this Archbishoprick, 39 Abbies of Men, besides five united to others, and 32 Nun∣neries.

2. The Archbishoprick of Lyons comprehends four Bishopricks, viz. Autun, Langres, Chaalon, and Macon.

The Archbishop, is Archbishop, and Count, and Primate of the Gauls; and is at present, Camillus de Neufville de Ville-roy, Lieutenant Governour for the King in the Country of Lyons, &c. The Cathe∣dral of that City is very considerable, the Canons of it being stiled Counts of Lyons, and being obli∣ged for their admission to make proof, that they are noble by five Generations, both on their Fathers and Mothers side.

The Bishop of Autun, who is by his Dignity perpetual President of he States of Burgundy, and Administrator of both the Spiritualties and Tempo∣ralties of the Archishoprick of Lyons, when the See is vacant, &c. is Gabriel de Roquette, &c.

The Bishop of Langres, who is Bishop and Duke of Langres, and one of the ancient Peers of France, is at present, Lewis Armand de Simianes de Gor∣des, &c.

The Bishop of Châlons, on Saone, being both Bishop and Count, is Henry Felix de Tassy, &c.

The Bishop of Mâcon is named Michael Cassagnet de Tilladet, &c.

In this Archbishoprick, there are 49 Convents of Men, besides four united, and sixteen Nunneries, besides one united.

3. The Archbishoprick of Rouen contains six Bishopricks, viz. Those of Bayeux, Auranches, Ev∣reux, Sais, Lisieux, and Coutance.

This Archbishop is Primate of Normandie, &c. and is at present named Rouxel de Medavy de Grancey, and is one of the Councellours of State in Ordi∣nary.

The Bishop of Bayeux, is Francis de Nesmond, Dr. of Sorbon, &c.

The Bishop of Auranches, is Gabriel Philip of Froulay de Tessé, &c.

The Bishop of Evreux, is James Potier de Novion.

The Bishop of Sais, is Maturin Savary, &c.

The Bishop of Lisieux, being Bishop and Count, is named Leonard Govion de Matignon.

And lastly, the Bishop of Coutance, is Charles-Francis de Lomenie de Brienne, &c.

In this Archbishoprick, there are 66 Convents of Men, besides one united, and fourteen Nunne∣ries.

4. The Archbishoprick of Tours contains eleven Bishopricks: The present Archbishop is Michael Amelot, &c. The other Bishops, are.

1. The Bishop of Du Mans, Lewis de la Vergne, Montenar de Tressan, &c. 2. The Bishop of Angers, Henry Arnaud, &c. 3. The Bishop of Rennes, John Baptist de Beaumanoi•• de Lavardin, &c. 4. The Bishop of Nants, Giles de Beauvau du Rivau. 5. The Bishop of Cornouaille, who is both Bishop and Count, and is named Francis de Coetlogon. 6. The Bishop of Vannes, Peter-Lewis, Caset de Vautorte. 7. The Bishop of St. Pol de Leon, who is both Bishop

and Count, Peter Neboux de la Brouss: 8. The Bishop of Treguier, being both Bishop and Count, whose name is Francis-Ignatius de Bagliou de Sail∣lant, formerly a Priest of the Oratory: 9. The Bishop of St. Brieu, Lewis-Marcellus of Coetlogon: 10. The Bishop of St. Malo, Sebastian de Guémaduc: 11. The Bishop of Dol, who is both Bishop and Count, Matthew Moreau.

This Archbishoprick has within its extent 71 Convents of Men, and 13 Nunneries, among which is the famous Collegiate Abby of St. Martin of Tours, of which the Kings of France are Abbots.

5. The Archbishoprick of Sens contains four Bi∣shopricks: the present Archbishop, who is stiled, Primate of the Gauls, and of Germany, is Hardouin Fortin de la Hoguette, &c. The other Bishops are, 1. The Bishop of Troyes, Francis Bouthillier de Cha∣villy, Doctor of Sorbon, &c. 2. The Bishop of Auxerre, Andrew Colbert, likewise Doctor of Sorbon, &c. 3. The Bishop of Nevers, Edward Vallot, &c. 4. The Bishop of Bethleem, Francis de Bataillet. This Bishop has his Seat of Residence in the Town of Clamecy, otherwise called Bethleem, situa∣ted in Nivernois, within the extent of the Diocess of Auxerre.

In this Archbishoprick, there are 44 Convents of Men, besides two united, and 15 Nunneries, be∣sides one united.

6. Under the Archbishoprick of Treves in Ger∣many, are three Bishopricks belonging to France, which are,

1. Mets, of which George Aubusson de la Feuillade, Prince of the Holy Empire, is Prince and Bishop. 2. Of Toul, of which James de Fieux, Doctor in Divinity of the Colledge of Navarre, is Bishop and Count. 3. The Bishoprick of Verdun, of which Hippolyte de Bethune is likewise Bishop and Count, and Prince of the Holy Empire.

In the extent of these three Bishopricks, there are 42 Convents of Men, and 9 Nunneries.

6. In the Archbishoprick of Reims, there are eight Bishopricks.

The Archbishop of Reims is Duke of the same, and first of the Peers of France, that Consecrates and Anoints the Most Christian Kings, and is Le∣gate, by his Dignity, of the Holy Apostolick See, and Primate of Gaul Belgick. He that now is, is named Charles Maurice le Tellier, Son to the late Chancellour, and Brother to Mr. Louvois. The other Bishops are, 1. The Bishop of Soissons, Peter Daniel Huet, Under-Preceptor, or Sub-Tutor to the Dauphin. 2. The Bishop of Châlons, on the Marne, who is also Count and Peer of France, and is named Lewis Anthony de Noailles. 3. The Bishop of Laon, who is Bishop and Duke of the same, and Peer of France; whose name is John d' Etrées. 4. The Bishop of Senlis, who is Denis Sanguin. 5. The Bishop of Beauvais, who is Count and Chatelain too. of Beauvais, &c. and is named Toussainr de Fourbin, who has been twice Ambassadour in Poland. 6. The Bishop of Amiens, who is Francis Faure, Preacher formerly to the late Queen. 7. The Bishop and Count of Noyon, and Peer of France, is Francis de Clermont de Tonnerre. 8. The Bishop of Boulogne, is Claudius le Tonnelier de Breteuil.

In this Archbishoprick, there are 118 Convents of Religious Men, and 30 Nunneries, besides seve∣ral ruined by the Wars.

Note, That the Prior of St. Remy of Reims in this Diocess, is obliged to carry the Holy Viol to the Ceremony of Consecrating, or Anointing the Kings of France.

8. The Archbishoprick of Cambray, includes four Bishopricks.

The present Archibishop, and Duke of Cambray, who is likewise Prince of the Empire, and Count of Cambresis, or the County of Cambray, is James

Theodore de Brias. The other Bishops are, 1. The Bishop of Arras, who is President by his Dignity, of the States of Artois; his name is, Guy de Sève de Rochechouart. 2. The Bishop of Tournay, Gilbert de Choiseul du Plessin Prâlin. 3. The Bishop of St. Omer, Lewis-Alphonsus de Valbelle. 4. The Bishop of Ypres, James de Liéres.

There are in this Archbishoprick, 48 Convents of Men, and 29 Nunneries.

The Archbishoprick of Besancon in the Franche County, has under it but one Suffragan Bishop.

The present Archbishop is Antony-Peter de Gra∣mant. The Suffragan being called the Bishop of Bel∣lay, is Peter de Laurens.

There are in this Archbishoprick, 23 Convents of Men, and four Nunneries.

9. The Archbishoprick of Vienna, contains four Bishopricks.

The present Archbishop is, Henry de Villars, Prior and Lord of Aispagnac. The other Bishops are, 1. The Bishop and Count of Geneva, John d' Aran∣ton, d' Alaix. His Residence at present is at Anecy. This Bishoprick is in the Gift of the Duke of Savoy. In it is the Abby of Hautecombe, which is the place where the Dukes of Savoy are Intombed. 2. The Bishop and Count of Grenoble, who is President by his Dignity, of the States of the Dauphinate, is Stephen le Camus. 3. The Bishop and Count of Vi∣viers, &c. is Lewis Francis de la Baume de suze. 4. The Bishop and Count of the double Bishoprick of Valence and Die, is Daniel de Conac.

In this Archbishoprick there are 23 Convents of Men, and eight Nunneries.

10. The Archbishoprick of Arles comprehends four Bishopricks.

The present Archbishop, who is stiled Prince and Primate, is Adheimar de Monteil de Grignan. The other Bishops are, 1. The Bishop of Marseilles, Charles-Gaspar-William de Vintimille de St. Luc.

2. The Bishop and Count of St. Paul Trois-Cha∣teaux, or St. Paul-Three-Castles, Lewis Aube de Roquemartin. 3. The Bishop and Lord of Toulon, Armand-Lewis Bonnin de Chalucet. 4. The Bishop of Orange, John-James d' Obeillo.

In this Archbishoprick, there are three Convents of Men, and four Nunneries.

11. The Archbishoprick of Bourges, has under it five Bishopricks.

The present Archbishop, who is stiled Patriarch and Primate of the Aquitains, is Michael Phelippeaux de la Ʋrilliere; the other Bishops are, 1. The Bi∣shop of Clermont, who is N...... 2. The Bi∣shop of Limoges, Lewis d' Ʋrfé. 3. The Bishop of Puy, and Count of Velay, who is an immediate Suf∣fragan to the See of Rome, Armand de Bethune. 4. The Bishop and Count of Tulles, Humbert Ance∣lin. 5. The Bishop of St. Flour, Jerome de la Mothe Houdancourt.

There are in this Archbishoprick, 66 Convents of Men, comprehending some united, and 17 Nun∣neries.

12. The Archbishoprick of Alby contains five Bishopricks.

The Archbishop is lately dead.

This Archbishoprick was Erected in 1678. The other Bishops are, 1. The Bishop and Count of Rodes, Paul-Philip de Lezay de Lusignan. 2. The Bishop of Castres, Augustin de Maupeou. 3. The Bishop of Cahors, who is likewise Count and Baron of the same, Henry-William de Jay. 4. The Bishop and Count of Vabres, Lewis de Baradat. 5. The Bishop of Mande, and Count of Givaudan, Francis-Placidus de Baudry de Piencourt.

In this Archbishoprick, there are sixteen Con∣vents of Men, and eight Nunneries.

13. The Archbishoprick of Bourdeaux, has under it nine Bishopricks.

The present Archbishop, who is likewise Primate

of Aquitain, is Lewis de Bourlemont d' Anglures The other Bishops are, 1. The Bishop and Count of Agen, Julius Mascaron, Preacher in Ordinary to the King. 2. The Bishop of Angoulême, Francis de Perigard. 3. The Bishop of Saintes, William de Plessis, de Geté de la Brunetiere. 4. The Bishop of Poitiers, Armand de Quinçay. 5. The Bishop of Perigueux, William le Boux, Preacher in Ordinary to the King. 6. The Bishop of Condom, James de Matignon. 7. The Bishop of Rochelle, Henry de Laval Bois-Dauphin de Sablé. 8. The Bishop and Baron of Luçon, Henry de Barillon. 9. The Bishop of Sarlat, Francis de Salagnac de la Mothe-Fe∣nelon.

In this Archbishoprick there are 95 Convents of Men, and eight Nunneries.

14. The Archbishoprick of Auch comprehends ten Bishopricks.

The present Archbishop, is Anne-Tristan de la Baume du Suze. The other Bishops are, 1. The Bishop of Dax, Leon de la Lâne. 2. The Bishop of Laitoure, Hugh de Bar. 3. The Bishop of Cominges, Lewis de Rechignevoisin de Guron. 4. The Bishop of Couserans, Gabriel de St. Estêve. 5. The Bishop and Lord of Aire, Armand Bazon de Bezons. 6. The Bishop of Bazas, James Joseph de Gourgues. 7. The Bishop of Tarbes, Francis de Poudeux. 8. The Bi∣shop and Lord of Oleron, Charles de Sallettes. 9. The Bishop of Lescar, Dominick Desclaux de Mesplées; this Prelate is President of the States of Bearn, first Councellour in the Parliament of Na∣varre, and first Baron of Bearn. 10. The Bishop of Bayonne, Gaspar de la Roque Priellé.

In this Archbishoprick, there are 32 Convents of Religious Men, and four Nunneries.

16. The Archbishoprick of Narbon, has under it nine Bishopricks.

The present Archbishop, is Peter de Bonzi, Car∣dinal of that Name. The Archbishops of this Sec.

are Primates and Presidents by their Dignity, of the States of Languedoc. The other Bishops are, 1. The Bishop of Bezieres, John-Armand Rotondi de Biscaras. 2. The Bishop and Count of Agde, Lewis Foucquet. 3. The Bishop of Carcassone, Lewis-Jo∣seph Adhémar de Monteil de Grignan. 4. The Bishop of Nîmes, John Seguier la Verriere. 5. The Bishop of Montpelier, and Count de Melguel, and Mont-ser∣rant, Charles de Pradel. 6. The Bishop of Lodeve, and Count of Mont-brun, Charles Antony de la Garde de Chambona. 7. The Bishop of Ʋsais, Michael Pon∣eet de la Riviere. 8. The Bishop of St. Pons de Tomitrs, Peter-John-Francis de Persin de Mont-Gail∣lard. 9. The Bishop and Count of Alet, Victor Me∣liand.

In this Archbishoprick, there are 24 Convents of Men, and seven Nunneries.

17. The Archbishoprick of Toulouze contains se∣ven Bishopricks.

The present Archbishop, is Joseph de Montpezat de Carbon. The other Bishops are, 1. The Bishop of Pamiers, Francis de Camps. 2. The Bishop of Montauban, John Baptist Michael Colbert de Villacerf. 3. The Bishop of Mire-Poix, Peter de la Broüe. The Bishop of Lavaur, whose name is Esprit, or Spirit Flechier, Almoner in Ordinary to the Dau∣phiness. 5. The Bishop of Rieux, Antony-Francis de Berrier, Provost of St. Stevens of Toulouze. 6. The Bishop of Lombes, named Don Côme Roger, formerly General of the Feuillantines. 7. The Bishop of Papoul, Francis de Barthelmy de Gramont.

In this Archbishoprick, there are fourteen Con∣vents of Men, and but one Nunnery which was ruined by the Civil Wars.

18. The Archbishoprick of Aix comprehends five Bishopricks.

The present Archbishop, is Charles le Goulx de la Berchere. The other Bishops are, 1. The Bishop and Prince of Apt, John de Gaillard. 2. The Bishop

of Riés, N...... de Marais. 3. The Bishop of Frejus, Luke D' aquin. 4. The Bishop and Count of Gap, Charles Benigne Hervé. 5. The Bishop of Ci∣steron, Lewis de Thomassin.

In this Archibishoprick, there are five Convents of Men, and three Nunneries. There was another Nunnery, but it is now demolished.

19. The Archbishoprick of Ambrun contains six Bishopricks.

The present Archbishop, who is stiled Prince of the same, is Charles Brulart de Genlis. The other Bishops are, 1. The Bishop of Digne, Francis le Tellier. 2. The Bishop of Grace, John Baltasar de Cabanus de Viens 3. The Bishop of Vence...... 4. The Bishop of Glandéve, Francis Verjus. 5. The Bishop of Senés, Lewis-Anne Aubert de Villeserin, Commander of the Order of St. Michael. 6. The Bishop of Nice, under the Duke of Savoy, N..... Moret, who is also stiled Count de Drap. Besides these, There are in Spain, Germany, and America,

1. The Bishoprick of Helne in Rousillon, within the Archbishoprick of Terragona in Spain, now transferred to Perpignan: The present Bishop is Lewis Habert de Montmort, Grand Inquisitour for the King in those parts. In this Bishoprick there are six Convents and Abbies.

2. The Bishoprick of Strasburg; whose present Bishop and Prince, is William Egon of Furstemberg. The Abby of Munster in the Gregorian-Vally, in the Diocese of Basil, is likewise in the French Terri∣tories.

3. Kebec, being the Capital Town of New France in the West-Indies, was Erected into a Bishoprick in 1674. by Pope Clement the Tenth, and the Abbies of Maubec, and of l' Etreé in France, were united to it, for its better support: The Bishop of it, is the Abbot of Chevrieres of St. Valier.

Other French Bishops, in partibus Infidelium, are 1. The Bishop of Heliopolis, Francis Pallu, Vicar

and Missionary Apostolick, and Administrator-Ge∣neral of China; who with the Abbot de Lyonne, the younger, and eight other Ecclesiastical Persons, Em∣barked at Brest the 25th of March 1681. for Surat, intending thence to go to the Kingdoms of China, Tunquin, Siam, Camboya, Lao, and Cochinchina. 2. The Bishop of Caesaropolis, Francis Piquet, Native of Lyons, who was formerly Consul for the French Nation at Aleppo, for nine years space: He is now Apostolical Vicar in the Levant, and chiefly at Bag∣dat, or Babylan on the Tigris, where he at present is, with M. Casmont de Nerac, Priest of the Ora∣tory: They Embarked at Toulon, the 11th of Sep∣tember, 1679. to go for Aleppo, the Capital City of Syria.

The Gallican Church is composed of these Pre∣lates, who all of them stile themselves Councellours of the King, in both his Councils, viz. Of State, and his Privy-Council, though they have no ordi∣nary right to sit there, unless they be called by an express Commission: They are all Doctors, either in Divinity, or Law: The manner how they swear Allegiance to the King, and the Form of their Oath we have already described.

Once in five years the Clergy hold Assemblies, which they call the Lesser Assemblies, and once in ten years their greater Assemblies, which are more numerous: Besides these, the King, upon Directi∣on to the Chief Prelates, calls extraordinary Assem∣blies of them, as lately; and sometimes a National Synod is Convoked: These Assemblies consist of some Prelates, and some Deputies of the Clergy, chosen out of the most qualified among them. In these Assemblies most affairs relating to the Church and Clergy are debated, and Represented, if need be, to the King, to whom at every Session, they give a considerable summ of Money.

The last Assembly was held in 1685. There are also besides these, in France, the Great Priours of

Malta, which are the Great Priour of France, the Great Priour of St. Giles's, or of Provence, the Great Priours of Champagne, Aquitain, and Auvergne, and the Knights and Commanders of Malta, all which are of the Body of the Clergy.

Notes

• A sort of Cistercian Monks.