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Orléans, Philippe, Duc d' 1674-1723
Regent of France

The son of the first Duke Philippe, and grandson of Louis XIII, he was born in Saint-Cloud. He showed courage at Steenkirk and Neerwinden (1692-93), and commanded successfully in Italy and Spain (1706-14). For some years he lived in exile from the court, spending his time in profligacy, the fine arts and chemistry. On Louis XIV's death he became Regent during the minority of Louis XV (1715-23), having married a daughter of Louis XIV and Madame de Montespan. He was popular, but his adoption of John Law's financial schemes led to disaster. His alliance with England and Holland (1717) was joined by the Emperor, and overthrew Alberoni in Spain. He expelled James Francis Stuart from France, debarred the parliament of Paris from meddling with political affairs, and to appease the Jesuits sacrificed the Jansenists.