Philibert, the Chevalier de Gramont, born in 1621, was the younger son of the French duke of that name. Like most European younger sons, he had to depend chiefly upon his natural gifts for advancement. Destined for the Church, he early revolted against that and devoted himself to the careers of the army and the Court – on brief, to a life of gallantry, in all the senses of that word.
Notably handsome, of high birth, brilliantly witty, gay under all circumstances, fertile in story, sport or genial talk, keen and merrily unscrupulous in gaming, attractive to and attracted by women of high and low degree, and indomitably courageous, his early army service under the great Generals Conde and Truenne opened to him a career of adventure. He was admired as a soldier, prized as a comrade, popular everywhere; so that when he returned from camp to Court he was an instant favorite. From King Louis XIV, down to the lackeys, every one sought to please him and forward his fortunes. These dazzling successes seem to have turned his head somewhat, since he was venturesome enough to make love to one of the king’s own favorites, and early in 1662 was banished.
