Jean Francois Paul de Gondi de Retz

Jean François Paul de Gondi, Cardinal de Retz (1613–1679), was a French churchman, writer, and prominent political figure during the turbulent period of the Fronde in France. As a leader of the Fronde, he opposed the centralization efforts of Cardinal Mazarin and the monarchy, playing a key role in the civil unrest that challenged royal authority. Despite his ecclesiastical status, Gondi was a skilled and ambitious political strategist, eventually becoming Archbishop of Paris. His memoirs, "Mémoires", are highly regarded for their vivid portrayal of the period and insight into the political intrigues of 17th-century France.