Charles de Cossé, Count of Brissac

Charles I de Cossé, comte de Brissac (* 1505, † December 31, 1563 in Paris) was Marshal of France and a French diplomat.

He distinguished himself at an early age as a soldier, was 1542 Colonel Général of the French infantry and 1548 cavalry colonel général. He commanded 1543 in Piedmont, light cavalry and fought from 1544 to 1546 in the Champagne as well as in Flanders against the British and Imperial. 1547 he was appointed Grand Master of the Artillery and 1550 Marshal of France.

At the court of Henry II, he played through the favor of Diana of Poitiers an important role and served as a diplomat. In 1550, he became governor of Piedmont, 1559 Governor of Picardy, 1562 Commander of Paris, 1563, Governor of Normandy.

His brother was Arthur de Cossé, comte de Secondigny, Marshal of France. From Charles de Cosses sons fell Timoléon de Cossé, comte de Brissac, born in 1543, 1569 at Mucidan in Périgord; his other son, Charles II de Cossé, duc de Brissac was also Marshal of France in 1594. The Marshal d' Timoléon Espinay, marquis de Saint Luc, (1580-1644) was his grandson.