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= Maison De Nuchèze =

Overview of Maison De Nuchèze
The house of De Nuchèze originated in France. The house was started by Guillaume De Nucheze the 1st born in 1280. De Nuchèze descends from the house of Nuchèze, a noble family of chivalrous extraction, originated in 1280. This family notably owns the castle of Nuchèze, located on the territory of the current commune of Champdeniers-Saint-Denis, in the Deux-Sèvres department. The family is also known to own multiple chateau's including chateau de la segiuinere and many more.

The French Nobility was a privileged social class during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period up to the French Revolution in 1790. It was revived in 1805 with limited rights as a titled class from the First Empire to the fall of the July Monarchy in 1848 when all privileges were abolished again. Hereditary titles without privileges continued to be granted until the Second Empire fell in 1870. In the political system of pre-revolutionary France, the nobility made up the 'Second Estate of the Estates General with Catholic Clergy comprising the 'First Estate'. Napoleon established a new knightly honour in 1802 the Légion d'Honneur which still exists today. The ancient titles survive amongst their descendants. In 1789 it was stated that there were about 140,000 nobles and about 55 could claim descent from feudal nobility who owned about 1/5th of the land, one of the 55 was of course a De Nucheze. It was quite a small class compared with other European countries.

Titles and ranks
These are the titles the de Nucheze family had bestowed to them

Comte - possessor of a county or 'comté or title given by the monarch

Marquis - possessor of a 'vicomté

Baron - possessor of a barony

Dauphin - son of the King

Maréchal - Marshall or Peer of France, the highest hereditary rank borne by the nobility. It was also awarded as a non-hereditary rank.

Chevalier - a nobleman who belonged to an order of chivalry: in earlier times it was a rank for the older noble families. Latterly the Knight went through the dubbing ceremony.

Écuyer - literally a 'shield bearer', could be a man-in-waiting to the King. Today-Equerry Gentilhomme-the lowest rank

Seigneur - squire or owner of feudal property indicating the lord had certain noble rights attached although properly did not indicate the seigneur was noble. Ownership of these rights could mean wealth and power.

De Nuchèze Ancestral Estates
Château De Nuchèze

Château De Baudimont

Château De La Séguinière

Château De Touchebredier

Château Saint-Albin, Saône et Loire

Château De Mesnard

Château De Touches

Château De Bessé

Château De Plessis

Château De La Mesnardière

Château De La Brulonniére

Château De Saint-Denis

Château De La Verne

Chateau Des Francs

Château De Baptresse

Château De Badevilain

Château De Fayolle

Nobility Privileges
The Nobility had privileges such as for example in 1440 under Louis X1, the right to hunt, wear a sword and possess a Seigneurie-land to which certain feudal rights and taxes were attached. They might be exempt from paying the 'taille' or land tax. Ecclesiastic, civic, and military positions were reserved for nobles. By the 15th century serfdom had all but disappeared however but there were privileges still held over the free peasants.

With the privileges came responsibilities; Nobles were required to honour, serve, and advise their king. They were often required to render military service, providing armies for the wishes of the reigning monarch. The rank could be lost and with it land, wealth and prestige. The titles were hereditary through the male line; they were acquired through marriage. Children of a noble were not commoners but untitled nobles although many were given one of the titles in the family. Only nobles could acquire other titles and they could be conferred by the King and had to be recognised by 'Acte de Parlement.

In France the signet (chevalière) ring bearing the coat-of-arms is traditionally worn by noblemen on the ring or small finger of the left hand. Chantal De Nucheze wore hers on her little finger as is the custom for women. This is the coat of arms for the de Nuchèze family, a shield with a red background and nine silver spurs. On top is a Count's Coronet. This title was conferred on the family in perpetuity, both male and female as long as they continued to bear the name.

History of De Nuchèze
I have inserted an account of how the de Nuchèze came to acquire this honour and title of Comte' from Louis X111 in 1637, ratified by Parlement in 1640 to Jaques de Nuchèze, Bishop of Châlons-sur-Saône.

This family is a military family with a long history originating in the Poitou area of France but scattered through the provinces of La Manche, Anjou, Bourbon, and Le Maine. As you will see from the family information, I have drawn up which you find detailed below it can be traced through 18 generations from Guillaume, the first to use this first name to Alexandèr De Nuchèze-Goate and many others today and indeed yourselves although you do not carry the name Nuchèze. The family over the years has been in the service of the Kings of France as soldiers and advisors. Amongst the generations there are knights, squires, army commanders, chamberlains to kings, members of the King's Council, gentlemen of the Royal Chamber, governors of lands and wars lands, a vice-admiral of France, members of the Order of Saint-John-of-Jerusalem even a Commander of the Order, a grand-prior d'Aquitaine, a bishop and count of Chalons and a host of other occupations for the contemporary family.

The family has allied itself with other families by marriage and you can read about them in the book of "Texte Littéral de la maison de Nuchèze" par Nicolas de Saint Marthe-1646 and later updated by a member of the family. It's difficult to read at first although once started it becomes easier. Alas though, it's in French but perfectly understandable. Through an alliance Pierre de Nucheze allied himself by the female line with the de Valois and de Bourbon ending in the person of Louis de Bourbon, count of Roussillon and of Jeanne de Valois legitimate daughter of Louis X1 Catherine de Brizay's grandmother.

Baudimont and La Chapelle de La Madeleine
The château de Baudimont is was one of the early de Nuchèze properties, now privately owned but you have been in it and also in the Chapelle de la Madeleine in the grounds of the château. It is located on a rise overlooking the valley of the river Clain: there has been a building on this site since 1060 but the present one dates form the 16th century. It is a long building terminated on the east side by a round tower, on the west side by a square tower flanked in the south by an octagonal tower. It is built of stone from Chauvigny with local rock. The round tower with its thick walls was built by Pierre de Nuchèze in the first quarter of the 16th century: it is highly ornate with stone additions and 'pepperbox' tiles. It has traces of its military history with gun mountings; however, it was never captured. The insignia of the de Nuchèze family, its coat of arms and so on can be found decorating the property. Later touches of the renaissance period were added. It was in the family by way of marriage to the des Francs from 1472 to 1680. Guillaume de Nucheze 1V (de Neufchèze), Seigneur de Baudiment, des Francs, de Brain, de Chincé & de Batrisse who died around 1486 married Catherine des Francs. Her parents were Louis des Francs, Seigneur des Francs & Bartholomée de Torve or Thorue the owners of Baudiment.



Chapelle de La Madeleine-Chapelle Funéraire
When you visited the chapel was in a sad state, but I believe with the help of a grant it has been restored in circa 1999. I think it belongs now to the local Commune of Beaumont rather than the château itself and visits can be arranged. What is interesting about this place? It contains the remains of the Thorue family and some of the early de Nuchèzes.

It is described as a 'Chapelle Funéraire' in most the records. Literally translated it means 'funeral chapel’, but we might say crypt in English although strictly speaking it isn't a crypt as that would be under ground. Perhaps the word 'mausoleum' would be more appropriate. It is an actual chapel devoted as a burial place; it has a cellar carved out of a rock. In this building the resting place of the Seigneurs de Baudimont and their families from the 14th to the 19th century can be found.

This is of the outside of the chapel which is a separate building to the château. In 1975 when we went it was in poor condition. The photographs below are of the outside and the cellar underneath today. You can see it has been restored and it received listed status in 2002 which can only be a good thing to reflect its historical importance not only for the de Nuchèze family but in order to preserve the rich history of France.Inside it has been beautifully restored using the appropriate pigments which would have been used initially: it has an important neo-gothic painted decor of rich heraldic design from the de Nuchèze family and others and the photographs below reflect these. There are references to the de Nuchèzes in the decoration; their coats-of-arms are evident. These are my photographs from the 1970s.

Headstones and Monuments in chateau de Baudimont
Inside there are many headstones and monuments including the 'Gisants' or recumbent statues on the tomb of Pierre de Nuchèze and his wife Charlotte de Brizay. They were married in 1514; Pierre was killed in combat in the first Italian wars with François 1 possibly circa 1532.

The Siege of Haddington
I want to tell you a little bit about the Siege of Haddington east of Edinburgh as one of your French ancestors Geoffroy de Nuchèze, featured in the chapel, was there along with his uncle Jacques de Brizay, brother to his mother Catherine who was married to Pierre de Nuchèze, circa 1525. Pierre is one of the 'Gisants' and there is a memorial to Honorat de Nuchèze, Geoffroy's son, also in the chapel. Geoffroy was a distinguished soldier, Knight of the Court of France, a Captain in the army, Governor of Soissons and a 'Gentilhomme' at the court of Charles 1X in 1567.

He distinguished himself in the 'Italian Wars' of the time and was in Scotland as a general in the French army which was sent in 1548 to help Marie de Lorraine, Queen of Scotland. We visited the area when we were researching my Scottish ancestors and spent an enjoyable afternoon there. The siege took place after the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in one of the last Anglo-Scottish Wars in September 1547 on the banks of the River Esk near Musselburgh. It was the last pitched battle between the Scottish and English Armies, part of the conflict known as the 'Rough Wooing'. It was a defeat for the Scots.

Battle of Pinkie Cleugh
In the last ten years of his reign King Henry V111 of England tried to secure an alliance with Scotland by the marriage of the infant Mary, Queen of Scots with his young son the future Edward V1. When this failed he launched a war against Scotland. At the time Scotland refused to have the Reformation imposed on them. During the invasion Inchmahome Priory was the refuge for little Mary. It is not my intention to go into the details of the battle but suffice to say the Scots were roundly beaten in a hard fought battle; many were killed or severely wounded on both sides. The Scots fled and were chased by the English.

Although they had a resounding defeat the Scots refused to come to terms with the English, the infant Queen Mary was smuggled out of France to become betrothed to the young dauphin François.

The Siege at Haddington
The siege was in fact a series of sieges and its story is told in St Mary's Church in the town-at least it was when we visited in 2012! The photograph on the right shows the restored church which was heavily attacked as part of an abbey in the siege.Following the Scots defeat at Pinkie in 1547, their commander Regent Arran took Haddington with 5000 troops including those sent by France to bolster the Old Alliance between Scotland and France. It was in turn taken by Francis Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury who then built defenses to withstand any assault by the by the then besieging French and Scottish troops in July 1548. The siege ended when the English decided to abandon the town int September 1549.

Geoffroy de Nuchèze and his uncle Jacques de Brizay were distinguished members of the French forces who were led by another relative, André de Montalembert, Seigneur d'Esse, who had also fought in the Italian Wars and at the siege of Therouanne in 1553 where he died and Geoffroy de Nuchèze was wounded.

D'Essé as he was known, proposed the marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots to the French Dauphin which was gecepted by the French Ambassador of the time. He returned to Paris in Triumph; for his service in Scotland he was made a Knight of the Order of St Michael. The French troops were billeted at what is now called Lennoxlove Castle, a mile south of Haddington which we also visited on our trip. The tower of the property which is called the Lethington Tower was badly damaged during the siege period.

Alexander Goate:

The Great Hall

In the de Nuchèze family tree which you will find below I have included information for three families: de Nuchèze, de Ponton d'Amécourt and de Bengy as these are the principal families in Patrick's pedigree on Chantal's paternal line. Dates have been sometimes difficult as records sometimes differ but in essence they are correct! The other thing I found hard was the names; they seem to haye around 4 each, sometimes the name appears female when it is male to my English view and then the cap it all they sometimes used yet another name.

I want to make a note, about the phrase 'Mort Pour La France' which you will find scattered through the ancestors of Bonpapa and Bonnemaman. This phrase is a term used in the French Legal System for people, both military and civil, who died in named conflicts in France's history in the service of the country as defined in the 'Code des Pensions militaires d'invalidité et des victoires de la guerre. It seems not everybody who died received this citation but I have not been able to discover why. A certificate such as the one on the left would be given with the citation.

Guillaume de Nuchèze I
Seigneur de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                             b. circa 1280                                                                                                                                                                                            m. unknown circa 1304. He acquired the lordship of Samson by an 'acte' of 1320 and various other acquisitions in 1329. In 1343 he made a trade-off of land with his brother Pierre, Chevalier & Seigneur de La Cougnardière.

3 children:                                                                                                                                                                                       ﻿﻿Guillaume de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                            Jean de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                                 Attendu de Nuchèze

Guillaume de Nuchèze II
Squire, Knight,                                                                                                                                                                                       Seigneur de Nuchèze, des Touches et de Saint-Aubin                                                                                                                              b. 1305                                                                                                                                                                                                     d. 1369 age 64 years. m. Jeanne Pourelle (parents Jean de Pourelle & ?)

5 children:

1. Guillaume de Nuchèze, Seigneur de Nuchèze d.1409                                                                                                                           m. Jeanne de Magné                                                                                                                                                                      =Guillaume de Nuchèze II d.1423

m. Mathée Chasteigner d.1454                                                                                                                                                                 (Jeanne de Nuchèze

Catherine de Nuchèze b.1405)                                                                                                                                                             =Louis de Nuchèze d.1429 2117

m. Catherine de Feydeau d.1437                                                                                                                                                             = Jeanne de Nuchèze d.1457

m. Jean Buffeteau,                                                                                                                                                                       Seigneur d'Argentières d.1431                                                                                                                                                          (Jeanne Buffeteau, Dame de Laleuca b.1408).

2.Jean de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                               d.1419,                                                                                                                                                                                              Seigneur de La Mesnardière

3.Mélinde de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                            m. Jean de La Vergne, Seigneur de La Verne

4.Marguerite de Nuchèze, Dame de L'Hébergement                                                                                                                                    m. Jean du Fresne

5.Marie de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                                  m. Savary Bouchard,                                                                                                                                                                              Seigneur de La Gilbertière                                                                                                                                                                   d.1383.

Chateau de Nuchèze
at Champdeniers Saint Denis, Poitou-Charentes.

Mentioned for the first time in 1320, the fortified castle was passed by marriage (more about that in a later section) to Jacques de Montalembert who oversaw its reconstruction in 1437. In 1559 Léon de Nuchèze bought the chateau back and landscaped the grounds. In 1714 it was bought by Jacques Thibault and remained in his family until 1920. It has a defensive site overlooking the Egray Valley. Its moat, drawbridge-now defunct and openings for firing through testifies to this. It has a rectangular Keep with a quasi-dungeon. Since then its fortune has been mixed; when we went in 1989 it was a nightclub but it seems it is doing better, restoration has taken place and it can be visited during the summer months.

This where you will find the Chapel which is dedicated to Saint Jeanne-Françoise de Chantal.

Seigneurie de Saint-Aubin


As with most of the châteaux to be found in France today there are very few medieval buildings left. This picture of Saint-Aubin, Saône et Loire, shows the one built in 1771-77. It is described as a country home. The rights of the manor were acquired by Antoine de Toulongeon in 1429 so one can presume either from Guillaume de Nuchèze who died in 1423 or there was someone in between who owned them. As with the others there are remnants of older buildings on the site.

Jean De Nuchèze
The second son of Guillaume II de nuchèze                                                                                                                                           & Jeanne Pourelle, Seigneur de La Mesnardière, de Baudiment, de Bessé, des Tousches, de Saint-Aubin, de Saint-Denis-d'Auroux et de La Grande Métairie                                                                                                                                                                         d. after 1419.

Jean served King Charles Vl during the troubles which beset his reign. In 1370 he was in the army of William, Archbishop of Parthenay. He appears in the records of action in 1395, 1396, and 1415 and again in 1418. He accompanied the King at the siege of Parthenay in 1419. He ratified the distribution of his father's estates with his sister Marguerite which had been managed by his older brother Guillaume before his death. He was guardian to Geoffroy Chasteigner, his great-nephew in 1396 and was a witness at the marriage of Emery de Brizay and Marie Chenin in 1407. He also served King Charles V11, when he was the Dauphin accompanying him at the Siege of Parthenay in 1419.

Children 1:

Guillaume de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                            Seigneur de La Mesnardière                                                                                                                                                                      m. 1. Louise de Vaux                                                                                                                                                                               (Guillaume de Nuchèze d. 1486, Seigneur de Baudimont)

m. 2. Guillemette de Eschallard:                                                                                                                                                        (Hughes de Nuchèze d.1419

m. 1. Jeanne Mesnard                                                                                                                                                                               (1 child)

One supposes that these titles have been acquired through marriage or bought by the transactions made by members of the previous generation. There are photographs on the internet for many of them but they are more often than not rebuilt so are not the medieval building except of course the Château de Nuchèze. I have included a few however for your delectation.



The Baldimento family is recorded at Baudimont from 1060 on ecclesiastical records; this is where the name comes from. Isabeau de Baldimento married Jean de Thorue in 1362. The Domain passed by marriage to the Francs, then to the Neufchèze in 1472, ending in the hands of the La Rochethulon in 1680. Without doubt it was the de Neufchèze who rebuilt it in the late 15th century. Here you will find the funeral 'La Chapelle de La Madeleine' and the remains of your ancient de Nuchèze ancestors. I will tell about it later on.The photograph below is that of the Château de Touches.

The second one is of the Château de Bessé.



Guillaume de Nuchèze III,
Seigneur de La Mesnardière, des Tousches, de Saint-Aubin, de La Verne and de Saint-Denis-d'Auroux,                                             d. 1423                                                                                                                                                                                                     m. Louise de Vaux (father: Bernard de Vaux, Seigneur de Feugery)

Guillaume was mentioned in several battles after 1421. He distinguished himself on the field in the service of King Charles V11, serving at the Siege of Parthenay in 1419. He perished at the Siege of Lomont in Haute-Saûne defended by the English.

4 children:

1.Guillaume de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                   Seigneur de Baudimont                                                                                                                                                                           d. 1486,                                                                                                                                                                                                      m. Catherine des Francs d. 1505.

2. ﻿﻿﻿Antoine de Nuchèze

3. Louise de Nuchèze, Dame de Saint-Denis d'Auroux                                                                                                                            m. Pantaléon de Seton

4. Marie de Nuchèze.

Guillaume de Nucheze IV
(de Neufchèze), Seigneur de Baudiment, des Francs, de Brain, de Chincé & de Batrisse                                                                       d. after 1486                                                                                                                                                                                               m. Catherine des Francs (parents: Louis des Francs, Seigneur des Francs & Bartholomée de Torve). d. 1505.

This is probably the same Guillaume de Nuchèze who called himself the Seigneur de Thorigné in a statement which he made on 07.06.1502 at Aimery de Rochechouart. This snippet I discovered on one of my internet searches; was he a bit of a rogue and did he acquire in questionable circumstances? More probably I am misunderstanding the meaning! On a more positive note it is known that he did serve in the armies of Charles V11 and Louis X1. He married Catherine des Francs; it is said that she was possibly a granddaughter of the King or even daughter. Louis was married first to Margaret of Scotland and then Charlotte of Savoie so she doesn't fit in with any legitimate line. One of those stories with a truth in it somewhere!

He was still alive in 1486 so his date of death is unknown. Catherine brought considerable land and seigneuries with the marriage including that of Baudimont. In the de Nuchèze account written by Nicolas de Saint Marthe there is a genealogy tree which shows the family connection to the Royal House.

Note on the 'des Francs'

In France in the Middle Ages, the term 'baron' refers to all members of the higher levels of the aristocracy, who held their title from the king. The barons from this era were amongst the oldest families of France. The baron held the historical rights to the place named in the title and the position signified by a title such as 'Baron de... or 'Seigneur de... This held true at least to the time of the Revolution. From the family tree it can be seen that the de Nuchèze acquired and held many titles many of which were acquired through marriage or in other ways. I do not propose to investigate them: it is obvious in some cases. But it seems that members of the family held quite a number of titles so would be powerful and rich landowners. In France as in many countries the feudal system was in place.

From the time of Napoléon, titles were passed on by hereditary principles without feudal considerations. I couldn't find any direct information on the title 'des Francs' but I believe it relates directly to the French King, who at the time was Charles V111 (1470-1498) succeeding his father Louis X1 (1423-1483).

11 children:

1. Charlotte                                                                                                                                                                                             m. François Thibault de La Carte, Seigneur de La Carte on 14.06.1510                                                                                          =Gabriel m. Renée des Francs, Dame de Seneuil on 28.10.139 (Hercule, Andrée, Anne, Paule)                                                             = Renée m. Pierre de Chary.

2. Pierre de Nuchèze, Seigneur de Baudiment                                                                                                                                     d. 1532                                                                                                                                                                                                    m. Charlotte de BRISAY, Dame de Beaumont and great-granddaughter of King Louis X1 on 17.02.1505 at Poitiers

Pierre served in the Conquest of Italy-Kingdom of Naples-in the army of Louis X11; he was wounded and taken prisoner. In 1515 he fought in the 'Poitou' area; he was created a knight by François 1 as reward for his services. He and his wife are to be found interred in the chapel at Baudimont.

=Geoffroy de Nucheze, Seigneur de Baudimont                                                                                                                                          d. 1583                                                                                                                                                                                                       m. Madeleine de Launay (Honorat, Seigneur de Baudimont 1557-)

Geoffroy was a soldier one of the King's men, Governor of Soissons, and fought in Piedmont in the wars of Italy. He was sent to aid Marie of Lorraine, Queen of Scotland; I'll tell you about that later. He fought in other places in France and was taken prisoner once! He was one of Charles 1X 'Gentilhommes', a post at the French Court.

=Léon de Nuchèze, Seigneur des Francs                                                                                                                                                m. Bénigne de Saulx, sister of Gaspard, Maréchal of France on 13.11.1538

(Father: Jean, Seigneur de Solon)

Léon, King's Knight, served with distinction in the wars of Louis X11 and François 1. He was Governor of the town of Mirabeau. He was killed in its siege. (Charles, Jean Jacques-Knight of Kings Henri 111 & 1V, he married Marguerite de Frémyot, sister of Ste Jean de Chantal. One of their children was Bishop and Count of Châlons-sur-Saône in 1624), Jean & Pierre)

=Françoise de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                            m. Charles de La Tousche    on 27.12.1525                                                                                                                                           (François, Seigneur de La Touche-Marigny) =Prégente, Abbess of the Abbey of Platigny.

3. René de Nucheze, Seigneur de Baptresse                                                                                                                                        d. 1537                                                                                                                                                                                                      m. Françoise de Greuille

=Jean de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                                    m. Jeanne de Parthenay. on 28.08.1555                                                                                                                                        Children - Pierre, Seigneur de Brulonnière, Melchior, Seigneur de Badevilain, Philippe, Jeanne, Marguerite

=Louis de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                                     m. Jeanne de Saint-Genies (Marguerite)

=Perrette de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                                 m. Pierre Cléret, Seigneur de Saint-Julien- L'Ars in 1550)

4.Jacques de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                                 d. 1569                                                                                                                                                                                                        m. Françoise d'Anlezy                                                                                                                                                                               =Jean de Nuchèze de Nuchèze, Seigneur du Plessis

m.Catherine de Viry on 02.08.1579                                                                                                                                                     (Antoine du Plessis)

5.Jean de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                                      d. 1562

Jean was a 'Chevalier de Saint-Jean de Jérusalem' in 1523 and in 1562 was the Chief Prior of Aquitaine. The Knights of Saint John were in effect the French 'Crusaders'.

6. ﻿﻿﻿Prégente de Nuchèze, Abbess of Saint-Jean-sur-Faye.

7. ﻿﻿﻿Françoise de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                            d. 1505

8. ﻿﻿﻿Gabrielle de Nuchèze

9. Marie de Nuchèze

10. ﻿﻿﻿Louise de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                            m. Thibault de Brenezay

11. Augustine de Nuchèze, Abbess of Fontevrault Abbey

René de Nuchèze,
Knight, Seigneur de Baptresse,                                                                                                                                                                        d. after 1537                                                                                                                                                                                               m. Françoise de Greuille (parents: Jean de Greuille & Antoinette de Saint-Julien)

He must have acceded to the titles because his older brother Pierre had died. As yet I haven't been able to verify anymore dates so for now this is my presumption!

3 children:

1.Jean de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                                   m. Jeanne de Parthenay. on 28.08.1555

2. Louis de Nuchèze, soldier, knight and Governor of Cognac in 1575                                                                                                         m. Jeanne de Saint-Genies

=Marguerite m. François de Lusignan on 25.07.1594                                                                                                                 (François d.1654 & Pierre 1604-1692)

3. Perrette de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                             m. Pierre Cléret, Seigneur de Saint-Julien- L'Ars in circa 1550.

Jean de Nuchèze,
Seigneur de Baptresse, Knight, Chamberlain to the King Henri 111 in 1573                                                                                               m. Jeanne de Parthenay                                                                                                                                                                    (parents Guiot de Parthenay, Seigneur de La Pommeraye & Louise L'Evêque de Marconnay) on 28.08.1555

5 children:

1.Pierre de Nuchèze,                                                                                                                                                                          Seigneur de La Brulonnière, Knight, soldier, Governor of Montmorillon                                                                                                   m. Anne Petit

=Gaspard de Nucheze,                                                                                                                                                                      Seigneur de La Brulonnière                                                                                                                                                                          m. Eléonore Turpin                                                                                                                                                                          (Pierre, Jaques, Avoie & Anne)

m. Marie de Vonnes de Fontenay                                                                                                                                                        (Jean, 'Chevalier de Saint-Jean de Jérusalem')

=Charles de Nuchèze =Louis de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                            =François de Nuchèze 1603-1667.

'Chevalier de Saint-Jean de Jérusalem' and was its Commander at the end of his time in the group in 1623. He served in the navy and achieved the rank of Vice-Admiral, the highest and equivalent to a Maréchal of France. He was mentioned in dispatches by King Louis X1V. He was born in the Château de La Brulonnière, photograph below, in 1603.

=Isabelle                                                                                                                                                                                                 m. Pierre de Reignier

= Renée                                                                                                                                                                                                     m. François de Triolon

2.Melchior de Nuchèze,                                                                                                                                                                      Seigneur de Badevilain                                                                                                                                                                            m. Catherine Marchand

3. Philippe de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                           m. Philippe Couraud,                                                                                                                                                                          Seigneur de Puylarge

4. Jeanne de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                               m. René de La Croix

5. Marguerite de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                            m. Pierre de Saint-Martin on 09.07.1596.

François de Nuchèze
François de Nuchèze, who died in 1667, is a French naval officer and aristocrat of the xvie century. He is a protégé of Nicolas Fouquet, he rose to the rank of Vice-Admiral of France, "Intendant General of the Navy, Navigation and Commerce of France" for the Ponant, before falling into disgrace, following the arrest of his protector.

François de Nuchèze

Birth - 1603

Death - July 17 1667 PARIS

Allegeance - Kingdom of France

Weapon - French Royal Navy

Grade - Vice-Admiral of France

Other functions - "Intendant General of the Navy, Navigation and Trade of France" for the Ponant

family - House De Nuchèze

Military career
He serves in the French Navy and reaches the rank of lieutenant-general of the naval armies, grade equivalent to that of marshal of France. In its provisions of May 7, 1651 signed by the King and countersigned by theSecretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Loménie, he was made "intendant general of the navy, navigation and trade of France" for the Ponant.Louis XIV essentially recalls the important services rendered by the commander of Nuchèze.

"We know the merit of the said sieur, commander of Nucheze, carry these letters and the long experience he has acquired in the navy having for thirty-eight years and more, had several commandments, either of ships or galleys, and other jobs at sea; in which, after having long served the religion of Malta very usefully and won various considerable advantages over the enemies of our faith who have often experienced their damage, the effects of its value and good conduct, especially when we sent it with twelve warships, whose command we entrusted to rescue of the Venetians against the same infidels, during a campaign: in addition to which he still served them by our order for several years at his expense & very usefully for them; he has since continued his services during the last unrest of our kingdom, in front of La Rochelle, and in the Bordeaux river, as our lieutenant-general of the naval armies and on all occasions he gave us so many marks of his sufficiency and experience, his vigilance, his courage, and his affection and loyalty to our service, that we felt we could not be able to entrust this important burden to a person who could support it and exercise it more with dignity and exactly than him etc etc. »

He is provided with this charge following the death of Louis de Foucault de Saint-Germain Beaupré, Count of Daugnon, marshal of France. This charge was acquired by Fouquet of whom he is a "man of straw". However, he fell into disgrace very soon after, with the arrest of the Superintendent Fouquet  on September 5, 1661.

Melchior de Nuchèze,
Seigneur de Badevilain m Catherine Marchand.

This is the first mention of the Seigneurie of Badevilain;

I'm not sure how it came into the family as there is no mention of it being by marriage. I have checked out all possible lines but found no clues! The only thing that seems notable for Melchior is his name! It seems to remain in the family for the next seven generations until about 1825 (possibly 250 years!) and seems to be their main title throughout this period.

Badevilain is situated near to Usson-du-Poitiers which is south-west of Poitiers, a distance of about 37 kilometres. Today Usson has a population of 1,349 and it looks a pretty place. It has a long history, its name originating from Franco-Roman times.

It is difficult to establish which photograph of the château I should be inserting here, the village of Badevilain is a little distance from the actual town of Usson but the de Nuchèze coat of arms is associated with the property on the internet but other than the personal records I found I couldn't find them on the château's current website. The town's website reports a number of seigneuries in the Middle Ages, Badevilain being amongst them with its notable château.

4 children:

1.Jaques de Nuchèze, Seigneur de Badevilain,                                                                                                                                    1602-1672

2. ﻿﻿﻿Albin de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                                 b.1613,                                                                                                                                                                                               Archdeacon of Châlons-sur-Saône

3. ﻿﻿ ﻿René de Nuchèze

4. ﻿﻿﻿Françoise de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                   m.Jean Leblanc.

Jacques de Nuchèze,
Seigneur de Badevilain,                                                                                                                                                                            b. 1602 at Usson-du-Poitou                                                                                                                                                                       d. 27.05.1672 at the age of 70                                                                                                                                                                He was an 'Écuyer' which translates as a 'squire or equerry to the royal court.

m. 1. Jeanne Compaing de Vareilles on 30.01.1636                                                                                                                       (Parents: François Compaing de Vareilles, Seigneur de Vareilles & Marguerite d'Alloue)

m. 2. Marthe Guiot de La Mirande        on 07.02.1657                                                                                                                                        b. 1624                                                                                                                                                                                          (parents: Pierre Guiot de La Mirande & Anne de Fontréaux)                                                                                                                   1 child: Françoise b.1659

m. 3. Charlotte du Breuil-Hélion on 08.02.1667                                                                                                                               (parents: Emmanuel du Breuil-Hélion, Seigneur de Combes & Marie Martel)                                                                                         1 child: Pierre de Nuchèze, Seigneur de Badevilain

m. Catherine Cacault de La Cotterie b. 1672 on 28.07.1695 at Blanzay                                                                                          =Marie-Catherine

m.François Sylvain de Chauvelin de Beauregard, Seigneur de Beauregard on 04.07.1718                                                             (Jaques 1V, Seigneur de Beauregard 1722-1798)                                                                                                                           children:

Marie Jeanne                                                                                                                                                                                           b. 1723

Charles                                                                                                                                                                                                       b. 1726

Marc Antoine                                                                                                                                                                                         1728-1730

François Marie                                                                                                                                                                                      b.1730

=Marc Antoine,                                                                                                                                                                                       Seigneur de Badevilain,                                                                                                                                                                           1709-1748                                                                                                                                                                                                     m. Marie Madeleine de Richteau on 17.07.1744

=René Etienne de Nuchèze, Seigneur de Badevilain                                                                                                                                 b. 1748

Pierre de Nuchèze,
Seigneur de Badevilain                                                                                                                                                                             m. Catherine Cacault de la Cotterie                                                                                                                                              (parents: Philippe Cacault de la Cotterie, Seigneur de la Cotterie & Catherine Micheau)                                                        b./baptised 04.051672 on 28.07.1695 at Blanzay

2 children:

1.Marie-Catherine de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                m. François Sylvain de Chauvelin de Beauregard,      on 04.07.1718                                                                                                      Seigneur de Beauregard                                                                                                                                                                      1694-1767

=Jaques 1V, Seigneur de Beauregard 1722-1798                                                                                                                                    m. Marie Marguerite Louise de Bridieu 1722-1787 on 10.07.1752                                                                                                 (Jaques V, Seigneur de Beauregard b. 1754)

=Marie Jeanne b. 1723

=Charles 1726

=Marc Antoine 1728-1730

=François Marie b. 1730                                                                                                                                                                           m. Joséphe Chopin de Thivy on 05.02.1758 in Louisbourg, Quebec, Canada

2.Marc Antoine de Nuchèze,                                                                                                                                                             Seigneur de Badevilain                                                                                                                                                                   27.09.1709-17.04.1748

Marc Antoine de Nuchèze,
Seigneur de Badevilain                                                                                                                                                                        27.09.1709-17.04.1748                                                                                                                                                                            m. Marie de Richteau (parents: Jean René de Richteau & Catherine Ogeron)                                                                                           b. 1728 at Usson-du-Poitou- 1748 at Poitiers on 17.07.1744

1 child:

René Etienne Antoine de Nuchèze,                                                                                                                                                   Seigneur de Badevilain                                                                                                                                                                               b. 1748

René Etienne de Nuchèze,
Seigneur de Badevilain, Mousquetaire du Roi                                                                                                                               b.21.02.1747 at Usson-du-Poitou                                                                                                                                                              d.02.05.1814 at Usson-du-Poitou

m. Marie-Jeanne Chasteigner de Rouvre                                                                                                                                           (parents: Jean Henri Chasteigner & Marie Eleonore Armande Chasteigner) b. 17.09.1755

d. 1799 at Poitiers, age 44 on 09.11.1779 at Bonnes. Les Mousquetaires du Roi,

their full name was in English- Musketeers of the Military Household of the King of France-were a fighting company of the Royal Household. They were founded in 1622 when Louis X111 furnished an existing light cavalry with muskets. The Musketeers fought in battle both on foot and on horseback. They formed the royal guard for the King while he was outside of the royal residences. They wore an early type of uniform with a tabard which indicated they 'belonged' to the king; it had an embroidered white cross denoting the fact that there were formed during the Huguenot rebellions in support of the Catholic cause.

Shortly after they were founded a second company was formed who reported to Cardinal Richelieu. After he died in 1842, the company passed to Cardinal Mazarin. Disbanded in 1646 and revived again in 1657 they were passed to Louis XIV. Their history continued with this yo-yo effect until they were finally disbanded in 1816! The Musketeers were amongst the most prestigious of the military companies and in principle membership was reserved for nobles.

2 children:

1. René Melchior Henri de Nuchèze

m. Marthe Joséphine de Roffignac                                                                                                                                                               = Marie Henriette                                                                                                                                                                                          = Melchiorine de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                    d.1879

m. Augustin Perry de Nieul                                                                                                                                                                   1802-1873                                                                                                                                                                                          (Marthe Hyacinthe)

2. Jean Armand de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                         d. 1825                                                                                                                                                                                                        m. Louise Joséphine Chol de Torpanne in 1811

Jean-Armand De Nuchèze
b.17.02.1784 at Usson-du-Poitou                                                                                                                                                              d. 28.04.1825 at Usson-du-Poitou                                                                                                                                                           m. Louise-Joséphine Chol de Torpanne                                                                                                                                                (parents: Pierre Chol de Torpanne 1744-1792 & Louise Coustis de La Rivière 1762-1835)                                                                       b. 11.09.1792 at Chouzé-sur-Loire                                                                                                                                                             d. 17.03.1856 at Poitiers, buried at Usson-du-Poitou on 18.02.1811 at Saumur.

This brings me back to the Château de Badevilain a postcard photograph of it is below plus the coat of arms which I found associated with it, unmistakably that of the de Nuchèze family. I may investigate again later but until then let's move on.

4 children:

1.Rene Charles Gabriel de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                     1814-1833

2. Armand Joseph Amboise de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                    b. 1816                                                                                                                                                                                                       m. Alphonsine de la Marque in 1842 at Poitiers

= Gabrielle de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                                1843-1938

m. Gaston de Sarcé                                                                                                                                                                                   b. 1832                                                                                                                                                                                            (Yvonne & Jean)

=Guillaume de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                              b.1847                                                                                                                                                                                                         m. 1.Marguerite Le Breton de Vannoise (Marguerite 1877-1960)

m. 2. Marie Louise Antoinette d'Oiron

(Louis 1880-1915 'Mort pour La France', Jacques b. 1882, Marc de Nuchèze 'Mort pour La France' 1883-1915 Gabrielle)

=Catherine dame du Sacré Coeur

3. Henriette Jeanne Gabrielle de Nuchèze b. 1820

4. Anne Antoine Marcel de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                    1822-1880                                                                                                                                                                                                   m. Esther Brault d. 1861

It is interesting to note that it is at this point that the family seems to have discontinued the use of their various titles; in all probably during the period of the French Revolution the date of which is given as 04.08.1789 although it didn't actually occur overnight. Forgive me if I don't go into detail on the Revolution as I'm not writing its history but will make a reference where I think it may touch the family!

Anne Antoine Marcel De Nuchèze
b. 13.04.1822 at Poitiers                                                                                                                                                                            d. 03.12.1880 at Savigny L'Évescault

m. Marie Esther Brault                                                                                                                                                                      b.28.05.1826 at St Julien L'Ars on 28.04.1846                                                                                                                                        d. 23.05.1861, age 34, at Poitiers. (parents: Thomas Auguste Brault 14.10.1794- 05.12.1843, buried at Puy-de-Dôme & Louise Henriette Lucquas de La Brousse 22.09.1800-10.09.1897))

I have researched the Brault family as far as I could; there are a well-established family from the Poitiers region but didn't seem to have any titles or land. This is the coat of arms given for her. Her father was the Conseiller Général (Chief Administrator)... for La Vienne one of the 95 Départments established under the Revolution in 1791; each county had a chief administrator. Marie Esther Brault had 3 sisters and 1 brother; one of the sisters being widowed left her estate to her de Nucheze nieces and nephews.

4 children:

1. Etienne de Nuchèze

2. Jeanne-Marie Joséphine de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                   b. 08.09.1848                                                                                                                                                                                              d. 31.03.1927                                                                                                                                                                                             m. Vicomte Hubert Paul

m. Jaques de L'Hermite de La Rivière b.08.12.1844 at Eymoutiers                                                                                                    d.27.02-1924 at St Julian l'Ars on 23.02.1870

(The parents of Hubert Paul Jaques were Ferdinand Laurent Tristan de L Hermite de La Rivière 1815-1893 & Marie Joséphine Françoise de Bengy 1821-1891)

= Anatole de L'Hermite de La Rivière b. 1871

m. Nelly de Lauzon b. 1873 on 04.09.1899

(Hubert Anne Marie Madeleine 1903-1988, Gonzague 1904-1968)

Gonzaque married Alix Guillemot de Liniers b. 1904;

6 children:-


 * 1) Christiane de L'Hermite de La Rivière

2. Françoise de L'Hermite de La Rivière                                                                                                                                                m. François Rheinart

3. Jean Noël de L'Hermite de La Rivière m. Bénédicte de Tarlé                                                                                                       (Gonzague-he of the bath fame! Aymar, Bruno & Odile).

4. Nicole de L'Hermite de La Rivière                                                                                                                                                       m. Emmanuel Petit Damico

5. Jaques Jean Pierre de L'Hermite de La Rivière                                                                                                                     m.Danièle Maury-Laribière

6. Nelly de L'Hermite de L'Hermite de La Rivière                                                                                                                                  m. Jean-Henry de Beaucorps =Jean de L'Hermite de La Rivière

m. Marguerite Petre                                                                                                                                                                               =Marie Valentine de L'Hermite de La Rivière                                                                                                                                         1873-1953

m. Henri Sicre de Fontbrune, Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur                                                                                                          (1874-1969) on 02.02 1904 at Augne

(Chantal, Missionary 1902-1959 Odette 1908-1997)

=Adrienne de L'Hermite de La Rivière 1875-1965)                                                                                                                                   m. Henri Allouveau de Montréal (1868-1938) in 1908                                                                                                                        (Philippe, Annick, Agnes & 2 others)

=Marie Thérèse de L'Hermite de La Rivière (1878-1885)

=Marie de L'Hermite de La Rivière 1880-1885

=Jean de L'Hermite de La Rivière (1882-1948)                                                                                                                                        m. Petra Yznaga del Valle in 1934

=Xavier de L'Hermite de La Rivière (1885-1902)

=Ferdinand de L'Hermite de La Rivière (1888-1921)

3.Marie Armand François de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                      b. 06.05.1853                                                                                                                                                                                               d. 1915 age 61 at Poitiers Known as 'Oncle François'                                                                                                                               m. Jeanne Marie Zénobie de Chièvres                                                                                                                                                  b.22.08.1859                                                                                                                                                                                                d. 13.03.1909 age 49 at La seguinière on 15.01.1884 at La Rochelle

4.Marie-Louise de Nucheze                                                                                                                                                                         b. 1861                                                                                                                                                                                                    m.  Jean Geoffroy Le Roy de Lenchères                                                                                                                                                 b. 1853 on 25.10.1882

= Antonine 1885                                                                                                                                                                                      m. Henri de Rancourt de Mimérand 1862-1938                                                                                                                                 (Simone 1906-1940 &Thérèse b. 1910).

This is the first mention of the area where we find the more recent de Nuchèze family living in the vicinity of Savigny L'Évescault. Anne, Antoine, Marcel and Esther Brault were married at St-Julien-l'Ars and it seems Anne Antoine Marcel died at Savigny; to me this suggests at the Château de La Séguinière but I may be wrong! I found a record which seems to equate to the British system of 'Listed Building Status' about the Presbytery at Savigny. This notes that the building was built during the time of Father Puisay who was Parish Priest there from 1767-82. In 1796 during the time of the French Revolution it was handed over to 'Citoyen (Citizen) Brault and was used as the Commune's Offices. In 1858 Anne Antoine Marcel de Nuchèze and his wife Esther Brault gave a house, garden and outbuildings to serve as the presbytery to the village church. And it would seem that it is the very same house: the deeds seem to confirm this. Why would the property be taken away from the Church? In the Revolution the church 'suffered' as much as much of the aristocracy in that buildings and land were confiscated as well as titles taken away. The Citoyen Brault mentioned in the deeds for the presbytery would be her grandfather Thomas Brault 1765-1823.

It is more than likely that it was Anne Antoine Marcel who built La Séguinière but we have no exact proof of that; he came from Poitiers and he died at the Château.

its believed that it was built about 1840 but there were the remains of a much older building on the site. How long the site was in the family is unknown; it is possible but not proven at all that it comes from the Brault family who seemed to good 'Citoyens'. I wonder what they thought of their daughter marrying into an 'Ancien Regime' family. Anne Antoine Marcel lived in Poitiers, if it is he, the story is that the man building the house came on a horse to supervise the project and this refers to him!

the third offspring in the family here:

Marie Armand François de Nuchèze who married Jeanne Marie Zénobie de Chievres. The de Chievres are another interesting family which seems to have originated in a village of the same name in Belgium and who have family connections in Canada, 'Oncle François' as he was known in the family, lived at Séguinière before Etienne and then Patrick De Nuchèze grandparents. I have a copy of the Faire Part (notice) for her death which lists many families and also of her family tree which is extensive! There was a bedroom in the Chateau at the front which was always called Oncle François room and it contained the gold clock we have in the lounge with its sweet chime. Mischievous Patrick De Nucheze always joked about her name which was like 'chèvres' (goats).

She was living at La Séguinière 1909 when she died. There were 4 farms attached to the property of La Séguinière; when Oncle François died the home farm behind the château and 1 other remained attached to the deeds of the building but 2 others were transferred to other ownership. Only the home farm remained in the ownership of the property when Bonpapa died in 1973 ant it was rented to the man who subsequently brought it and the château.

Etienne Marie Jean de Nuchèze
b.08.03.1847 at Poitiers                                                                                                                                                                             d. 13.06.1887 at Ancenis, Loire-Atlantique, age 40                                                                                                                                   m. Marie Joséphine Berthe d'Amécourt 24.07.1857 at Puy-13.04.1936 at Bourges age 79                                                            (parents: Paul de Ponton d'Amécourt 1826-1913 & Mathilde de Bengy 1835-1925) on 27.02.1878 at Tours.

Berthe as she was known was widowed in 1887 when she was about 30 years old; she also lost three of her children when she was 43,

49 and 53 respectively. Berthe was a very devout lady and in an address possibly given to the women of "Enfants de Marie du Sacré-Coeur" just after her death we learn that she had been President of the association of La Ligue Patriotique des Françaises for a number of years. The 'Ligue' was founded in 1901/2 when French women did not yet have a vote. At its foundation members were mainly from the upper class, of a traditional and possibly Catholic tradition who wanted to fight against the secularization of the State. It was a way of being political when women at that time had no place in political life. We also learn that she was a nurse with the Red Cross, caring for wounded personnel in a Hôpital Militaire-we are not told where- for about 3 years where she gave unstintingly of her time and skill even though the war was touching her family and life in so many ways. One presumes that that was in WWl. The address tells us that she was a spontaneous, impulsive lady with a smile for everybody.

5 children:

1﻿﻿.Pierre de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                            1878-05.05.1900 age 21 at Bourges

2. ﻿﻿﻿Marie de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                           1880-29.11.1906 at Sablé-sur-Sarthe (Sister of the Order of St Vincent de Paul).

3. Thérèse de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                             27.05.1882-10.09.1910 (Sister of the Order of the Sacré Coeur).

think this may refer to La Société du Sacré-Coeur de Jésus founded in 1800 by Madeleine-Sophie Barat in Paris for the education of girls. The nuns were known as Dames du Sacré-Coeur. There are other references to this order in the family narrative.

4. Antoine Henry de Nuchèze

5. ﻿﻿﻿Marie Antoinette Yvonne de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                     b.08.11.1885 at Fontenay-le-Comte                                                                                                                                                         d. 06.1975 at Luçon                                                                                                                                                                                  m. François de la Hamayde 17.09.1880-28.09.1915 at Saint-Hilaire-Le-Grande, Marne 'Mort pour La France' on 04.08.1908 at Saint Parres-les-Vaudes                                                                                                                                                                                       = Pierre de la Hamayde 1911-05.03.1945 in Berlin.

=Marie Thérèse de la Hamayde 22.07.1913 at Bourges-30.06.2008                                                                                                       m. Raymond de Larocque-Latour (07.04.1913-13.06.1956), a pilot, in 1939.

9 children

Françoise 1940                                                                                                                                                                                      m. Alain Lemaistre, Geneviève 1941

m. Alain Mosney de Boisheraud, Solange 1943 m. E. de La Serna, Etienne 1944

m. Anne Marie de Coudenhove, Anne 1945, Jean Raymond 1948

m. Marie Thérèse de Montrognon de Salvert, Dominique 1951,

m. Pierre 1953 & Isabelle 1956.

Etienne Marie Jean was a soldier; his rank was Chef de Batallion which equates to Major in the British Army. He was a past student with the 'École Impériale Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr. This is the foremost French Military Academy and often referred simply as Saint-Cyr. Its motto is "Ils s'instruisent pour vaincre"-they study to conquer. The school was founded by Napoléon Bonaparte at Fontainebleau in 1802, moving to Saint-Cyr, west of Paris in 1808. Nowadays it is located in Brittany at Coëtquidan.

Records I found show that Etienne fought in two major areas of action but of course there would be others. He fought the troops of Giuseppe Garibaldi on 03.11.1867 at Mentana, Rome, Italy as the L'Armée Pontifical (Franco-Papal) of Napoleon, 111. The battle took place on 03.11.1867 against the volunteer troops who were attempting to capture Rome which at the time was still outside the newly formed Kingdom of Italy. The battle ended in a victory for the Franco-Papal troops.

The second record refers to the Siege of Paris in 1870 where he was wounded; this being a factor in his death at a relatively early age of 40 in 1887. The Siege lasted from 19.01.1870 to 28.01.1870 and the subsequent capture of the city by Prussian forces led to the French defeat in the Franco-Prussian War and the establishment of the German Empire as well as the Paris Commune. As early as August 1769 the Prussian 3a Army led by Crown Prince Frederick 111-the future Emperor-had been marching towards Paris but had to be recalled to deal with Forces led by Napoleon 111. He was crushed which left the road open to Paris. Wilhelm 1 of Prussia personally then led the troops and along with others completed the march to the city virtually unopposed. I don't propose to outline all the ins and outs of the struggles here; you can read that elsewhere for yourselves. It was thought to shell Paris to defeat it but for several reasons this didn't happen. In the event Paris was taken and 24,000 French soldiers died or were wounded, Etienne being amongst the latter. This is the medal he would have been awarded for taking part in the Siege. The small photograph on the left shows him, left-hand-side with a comrade soldier.

Wilhelm 1 was proclaimed German Emperor at the Palace of Versailles and Alsace-Lorraine became part of the German Empire. Another stipulation was that a German garrison would remain in Paris; this angered Parisian residents, in particular they were against the French Government of the day and from April-May 1871 Paris Workers and National Guards rebelled and established the Paris Commune. Record tells us Etienne and Marie Joséphine Berthe D'Amécourt lived in Fontenay-le-Comte from 1880-85; This is a commune in the Department of the Vendée in the Pays de La Loire region. I am making the assumption that he was stationed here in the army.

Fontenay has featured throughout French History and has been the scene of many conflicts throughout the years: in the 14th century the Religious Wars of the 17th century and the Revolt of the Vendée in 1793 so the scene of a battle between the Royalists and the Revolutionaries. It has the affix of 'comte' because King Louis 1X took it and gave it to his brother Alphonse, count of Poitou. It was the capital of the Vendée department until Napoleon stripped it of its title for its part in the French Revolutionary Wars. It has the ruins of a walled medieval castle, 2 châteaux, cathedral and many distinctive dwellings.

Antoine Henry de Nuchèze, Count,
Civil Engineer, Chevalier de La Légion d'Honneur                                                                                                                                  b. 29.01.1884 at Fontenay-Le-Comte. d. 29.06.1973 at La Séguinière, Savigny L'Évescault at the age of 89.

m. Marguerite Duval de Fraville on 27.11.1911. b. 18.09.1889 at Châlons-en-Champagne, Marne                                                                                                                                    d. 04. 08.1971 at La Séguinière, Savigny L'Évescault at the age of 82.

5 children:

1. Camille Marie de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                     b. 04.04.1912                                                                                                                                                                                              d. 19.08.2007 aged 95 in Sarasota, Florida, U.S.A.

m. John Hadley Cox                                                                                                                                                                                  b. 06.04.1913                                                                                                                                                                                              d. 29.07.2005 on 28.06.1947 in Washington D.C.

1 child:

Joyce Marguerite                                                                                                                                                                                    b. 23.05.1948                                                                                                                                                                                            m. Ronald Dale Eminhizer on 06.05.1967

= Stephanie b.100.12.1967

2. Chantal Marie Berthe de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                       b. 30.06.1914                                                                                                                                                                                              d. 06.03.2013

m. Thomas Anthony Geoghegan (parents: Thomas Geoghegan & Mary Glennon) on 15.04.1936 at Savigny L'Evescault.

3. François de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                             b. 25.05.1916. d. 04.05.2001 at the age of 84.

m. Anta Collet de Cantelou b.1929 on 10.06.1946.

4 children:

Bernadette b. 1948 m. Christian Moreau

Chantal b. 1948, twin to Bernadette m. Didier Gaillard.

Violaine b. 1949 m. Patrick Boutillier du Retail =Samuel Boutillier du Retail

m. Laetitia Provost

on 30.09.1995 at Auneau, Eure-et-Loire + 1 daughter Florrie.

4. Françoise (Fonfon) b. 1954 m. ?Gouttier

4. Georges de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                          b. 07.03.1925 at Paris

m. 1. Marie Antoinette Morisson (Solange) de La Bassetière b. 24.09.1925 on 02.09.1947 at Mothe-Archard

d. 26.09.1994 at Neuilly-Sur-Seine.

3 children:

1. Manuella (Manon) b. 20.02.1949 at La Rochelle m. Maurice de Schepper on 23.03.1974 at Corbeil

(no children).

2. Charles Henri b. 19.04.1953 at La Rochelle

m. Gudrun Schmidt b. 05.04.1954 on 09.09.1978 at Bad Vilbel (Germany)

=Miriam b. 15.01.1882 at Caen

m. Thibault Herlin on 30.04.1981

(Adrien b. 02.02.2012 at Neuilly-sur-Seine & Eleonore b. 29.10.2014 at Neuilly-sur-Seine)

= Antoine b. 30.05.1984 at Soresnes.

3. Geffroy b. 20.05.1954 at La Rochelle

m. Jeanne-Marie Villemejenne on 28.02.1976

=Ariane

=Guillaume

Georges m. 2. Françoise Périnault d. 08.2010.

5. Pierre de Nuchèze                                                                                                                                                                                 b. 04.1928                                                                                                                                                                                                   d. 1977 at Les Menuires in the French Alpes.

m. Eliane Hougas circa 1967 d. 07.12.2013 in L'Île Rousse, Corsica.

Chantal Marie Berthe de Nuchèze
b. 30.06.1914 Nancy, Alsace France                                                                                                                                                      d. 06.03.2013 at Fareham

m. Thomas Anthony Geoghegan b. 05.05.1905 d. 07.04.1991 Highcliffe-on-Sea, Hampshire on 15.04.1936 at Savigny L'Évescault.

6 children:

1.Michel Henry Nucheze Geoghegan                                                                                                                                                        b. 11.01.1937                                                                                                                                                                                            d. 22.07.2012 at Columbia, South Carolina

m. 1. Anne Marie Bourbon b. 02.08.1936 at Briançon on 04.04. 1961 in London

= Christopher Henry Bourbon b. 15.02.196 in London                                                                                                                       (Paul Henry Feinauer-Geoghegan b. 26.01.2002)                                                                                                                                     = Alan Charles Bourbon b. 04.11.1964 in Manila, Philippines

m. Maria Cecelia Sanchez b. 12.05.1968 on 02.02.200

= Michael Balmaceda m. Suzanne (Kevin & Jayden)

= Mary Balmaceda m. Scott Hulse                                                                                                                                                         (Parker, Calla & Elsa)

m. 2. Zen? Long Island, New York on 11.01.1984

m. 3. Xiaojia Gu

2. Patrick Marie Nucheze Geoghegan

b.24.05.1938 m Josephine Margaret Ainley

3. Anthony Thomas Nucheze Geoghegan

b. 28.10.1939

m. Clarita Otiliz b. 26.05.1944 at Cartagena (Philippines) at Boulogne-Billancourt on 15.11.1975 (French civil) & 20.12.1975 in the Philippines.

= Thérèse Chantal b. 30.06.1977 at Clamart                                                                                                                                          m. David Colin Hay b. 27.08.1973 at Dunfermline on 25.09.2004 at Dalhousie Castle

(Sophie Elizabeth Hay b. 13.07.2007 in Livingston & Matis Colin Hay b. 07.09.2011 in Livingston)

= Hélène Claire b. 23.09.1978 at Boulogne -Billancourt, France                                                                                                             m. Sylvain Manso b 07.03 1973 in Tournan-en-Brie France on 22.06.2002 Ozoir-la-Ferrière, France

(Lou-Ann Manso b. 24.10.2006 at Nogent-sur-Marne, France & Quentin Manso b. 07.07.2010 at Nogent- sur -Marne France)

= Louise b. 08.12.1981 in Paris. Partner: Vincent Chatelain b. 09.02 1971 in Champigny, France (Melvin Chatelain b. 05.04.2013 in Paris)

4. Philip Francis Nucheze Geoghegan                                                                                                                                                            b. 01.06.1943

m. 1. Pauline Anne Baber (parents: Anne Francis Claudine Bourdillon and Brian Baber) b. 19.01.1945 on 28.03.1967 March 28th 1967 in Chipping Camden, Gloucestshire.

= Benedict Thomas b. 15.04.1970 at Hexham, Northumberland                                                                                                             m. Suzanne Johnston b. 02.05.1971 on 25.09.1998                                                                                                                               (Lucy b. 31.01.2003 & Megan b. 15.03.2006)

= Nicholas Francis b. 30.10.1972 at Dun Laoghaire m. Jannene Patricia Behl on 30.08.2001                                                               (Rory b. 01.09.2003, Luke b. 02.10.2006 & Abby b. 19.01.2008)

= Fionnuala Juliet b. 15.09.1976 at Dun Laoghaire m Alan Hodkinson b. 07.07.1978 on 20.07.2013 at Castletown Geoghegan

m.2. Delphine Mary Rachel Culligan (parents: Mary Alice Hammell & Michael Culligan) b. 30.04.1963 on 22.08.1990

= Christina b. 30.03.1994 in Bulgaria, adopted 17.03.1998

= Atanas Daniel Philip b. 27.06.1997 in Bulgaria, adopted 08.09.1999

5. Richard Pierre Nucheze Geoghegan                                                                                                                                                b. 06.03.1949

m. Susan Derrick 15.04.1949-24.04.2013 on 14.04.1973 in Churt, Surrey

= Jess Helen b. 31.03.1976 in Wythenshawe m. Gerard Nugent on 03.06.2012

(Susannah Poppy b. 22.01.2012 & Callum b. 17.01.2014)

= David Mark b.12.01.1978 in Bielefeld, Germany Partner: Rebecca Schiller (Samuel Noah b. 22.09.2012)

= Laura Catherine b.14. 10.1981 in Aldershot m. James Davies on 10.08.2010

(Toby Peter b. 14.06.2012)

6. Simone Angela Geoghegan b. 13.03.1954

m. Paul Tomlinson b. 16.01.196 on 12.08.1976

= Nicole Clare b. 13.05.1980

= Elena Chantal b. 02.01.1983

m. Karl Nathan Dobson b. 29.11.1976 at Fareham, Hampshire on 16.08.2008

(Sebastian Edward b. 17.11.2011 & Alexander Thomas b. 13.12.2013)

= Danielle Mary b. 31.08.1986

m. Matthew James Slater b. 25.11.1978 at Fareham, Hampshire on 08.08.2009

(Bethan Chantal b. 14.08.2013)

Patrick Marie De Nuchèze Geoghegan
b. 24.05.1939 d.

m. Josephine Margaret Ainley (parents: Harold Ainley & Margaret McCaul) on 08.10.1966 at St Robert's Church, Harrogate

b. 05.09.1944

Patrick went to boarding school in France and lived there for years staying at chateau la segiuinere before moving to England.

3 children:

1. Jerome Patrick Nuchèze Geoghegan

b. 18.07.1967

m. Julie Helen Allport b. 06.01.1967 on 15.04.1995 in Shifnal

=Frances Ruth Nuchèze b. 18.04.1996                                                                                                                                                 =Matthew James Nuchèze b. 07.08.1998

2. Victoria Frances Nuchèze Geoghegan

b. 02.09.1969

m. Neil Christopher Goate b. 22.06.1961

on 25.10.1997

=Elise Hannah Nuchèze Goate b. 25.05.2004                                                                                                                                                =Alexander George Nuchèze Goate b. 26.04.2006,                                                                                                                                             =Oliver Patrick Nuchèze Goate b. 02.08.2010

3. Andrew Charles Nuchèze Geoghegan

b. 13.02.1973

m. Emma Lisa Plaskitt b. 10.04.1969 in Chichester on 29.07.2000 in Oxford

Alexandèr George De Nuchèze Geoghegan Goate
b. 26.04.2006

Alexandèr (known as Xand) born of a French mother and Scottish Father went to trinity collage for lower and upper sixth,