Odet de Coligny

Odet de Coligny, called Cardinal of Châtillon, (* July 10, 1517 in Châtillon- sur -Loing, † February 14, 1571 in Canterbury ) was a French Huguenot leader.

Coligny was the son of Marshal of France Gaspard de Coligny I., seigneur de Châtillon; his brother was the later Admiral Gaspard II de Coligny.

The age of 13 in 1530 Coligny was appointed Prior at Saint -Stephan ( Beaune) and four years later he became a canon in Paris. Later he came through simony to the archbishopric of Toulouse and Pope Paul III. appointed Coligny also still a cardinal. The following year, Coligny was additionally appointed bishop of Beauvais.

As 1562/63 Coligny to the Reformed Church converted, he lost all his ecclesiastical offices and was excommunicated by Pope Pius IV with effect from March 31, 1563. Even longer a sympathizer of the Huguenots, he now stepped publicly for their cause, and was also one of their leaders. Public and without ecclesiastical sacrament he married about 1564 Isabelle Hauteville.

At Saint- Denis he fought with distinction. 1568 Coligny fled with a few followers to England. At the English court he campaigned for his ideas and hoped by Queen Elizabeth I to be financially supported. Meanwhile Coligny was accused at the instigation of the Paris Parlements as a traitor and all the honors and offices was declared forfeited.

Coligny therefore remained in exile in England, where he. Agreement with the French king Charles IX different secret orders completed. For the Duke of Anjou Coligny campaigned among others to the Queen's hand. As Coligy wanted to leave England to return to his homeland, he was poisoned by one of his servants. This poison attack Coligny died at the age of almost 54 years on February 14, 1571st he found his final resting place in the Cathedral of Canterbury.