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Henri Evrard, marquis de Dreux-Brézé

1762 – 1829

French noble

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About Henri Evrard, marquis de Dreux-Brézé

Lived 1762 – 1829 (aged 66). Henri Evrard, marquis de Dreux-Brézé was a French politician.

Henri-Évrard, marquis de Dreux-Brézé (1762–1829) was a member of the French nobility who at the age of 27 played a role in the meeting of the estates-general in 1789. Brézé had succeeded his father Thomas as court master of the ceremonies to Louis XVI in 1781, and was a descendant of Michel de Dreux-Brézé.

During the opening stages of the Estates-General of 1789 it fell to Brézé to regulate the questions of etiquette and precedence between the three estates. That as the immediate representative of the crown he would offend the susceptibilities of the deputies of the Third Estate was perhaps inevitable, but little attempt was made to adapt archaic etiquette to changed circumstances. Brézé did not formally intimate to President Bailly the proclamation of the royal séance until 20 June, when the carpenters were about to enter the hall to prepare for the event, thus provoking the session in the tennis court. After the royal séance Brézé was sent to reiterate Louis's orders that the estates should meet separately, when Mirabeau replied that the hall could not be cleared "except at the point of bayonets". Brézé withdrew in the face of Mirabeau's aggressive stance but followed traditional protocol by walking slowly backwards with his embroidered tricorn on his head.

Brézé reported the defiance of the Third Estate back to the king, who was awaiting developments in the nearby royal apartments. Louis reportedly responded "Damn! Oh well let them stay".

After the fall of the Tuileries in 1792 Brézé emigrated for a short time, but though he returned to France he was spared during the Terror. At the Restoration he was made a peer of France, and resumed his functions as guardian of ceremonial. He died on 27 January 1829, when he was succeeded in the peerage and at court by his son Scipion (1793–1845).

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
École Militaire
Positions held
Pair of France, Grand Master of Ceremonies of France
Awards
Knight of the Order of the Holy Spirit; Knight of the Order of Saint Michael

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Henri Evrard, marquis de Dreux-Brézé's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Henri Evrard, marquis de Dreux-Brézé?

French noble

When was Henri Evrard, marquis de Dreux-Brézé born?

Henri Evrard, marquis de Dreux-Brézé was born on 6 May 1762 in Paris.

When did Henri Evrard, marquis de Dreux-Brézé die?

Henri Evrard, marquis de Dreux-Brézé died on 27 January 1829 in Paris.

What was Henri Evrard, marquis de Dreux-Brézé's occupation?

Henri Evrard, marquis de Dreux-Brézé was a politician.

What nationality was Henri Evrard, marquis de Dreux-Brézé?

Henri Evrard, marquis de Dreux-Brézé was French.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Henri Evrard, marquis de Dreux-Brézé

· Wikidata: Q2340995

· DBpedia: Henri-Évrard, marquis de Dreux-Brézé

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Henri Evrard, marquis de Dreux-Brézé. https://biography.guide/henri-evrard-marquis-de-dreux-breze/

MLA: "Henri Evrard, marquis de Dreux-Brézé." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/henri-evrard-marquis-de-dreux-breze/.

Chicago: "Henri Evrard, marquis de Dreux-Brézé." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/henri-evrard-marquis-de-dreux-breze/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-23 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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