Concino Concini, conte della Penna, maréchal d'Ancre (died April 24, 1617), was an Italian adventurer and minister of Louis XIII of France.
A native of Florence, he came to France in the train of Maria de Medici, wife of King Henri IV, and married the queen's lady-in-waiting, Leonora Don , known as "Galigai". The favour his wife enjoyed with the queen, combined with his wit and boldness, made his fortune. In 1610 he had purchased the marquisate of Ancre and the position of first gentleman-in-waiting. Then he obtained successively the governments of Amiens and of Normandy, and in 1614 the baton of marshal.
From then first minister of the realm, he abandoned the policy of Henri IV, compromised his wise legislation, allowed the treasury to be pillaged, and drew upon himself the hatred of all classes. The nobles were bitterly hostile to him, particularly Condé, with whom he negotiated the treaty of Loudun in 1616, and whom he had arrested in September 1616 . This was done on the advice of Cardinal Richelieu, whose introduction into politics was favoured by Concini.
By this time, Louis XIII, incited by his favourite Charles de Luynes, was tired of Concini's tutelage. The baron de Vitry, head of the royal guards, received in the king's name the order to imprison him. According to some authors, young Louis XIII agreed that Concini could be killed if resisting. Apprehended on the bridge of the Louvre, Concini was killed by guards. Leonora was accused of sorcery and sent to burning at the stake in the same year.
In 1767 appeared at Brescia a De Conemi vita, by D Sandellius. On the role of Concini see the Histoire de France, published under the direction of Ernest Lavisse, vol. vi. (1905), by Mariejol.
Reference
