Théodore Agrippa d'Aubigné

Having sworn an oath at age eight to avenge Protestant martyrs executed at Amboise, d'Aubigné fought in dozens of battles and duels alongside Henry of Navarre (later King Henry IV), serving as his equerry and outspoken moral conscience.

When Henry converted to Catholicism to secure the French crown, d'Aubigné retired to his fortress in Maillezais, refusing compromise. In his epic Les Tragiques (published in 1616), written in fiery alexandrine couplets, he transformed the civil wars into a cosmic biblical drama where France bleeds while God prepares final vengeance. His granddaughter became Madame de Maintenon.