Lieutenant General of New France

Lieutenant General of New France was the title of a French official who governed early New France (including the colonies of Canada and Acadia) from 1598 until 1627. Before 1598, the post was briefly occupied from 1541 to 1543. It was the first vice-regal post in what would later become Canada, and it was a precursor of the modern-day office of Governor General of Canada, the representative of King Charles III, Canada's king and head of state.

Most holders of the title never set foot in New France, except for Jean-François de la Rocque de Roberval and Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons. The others served in the post from the comfort of the Kingdom of France. The title was replaced in 1627 by the post of Governor of New France.

Office Holder Term Appointed by
Jean-François de la Rocque de Roberval 1541–1543 Francis I
vacant 1543–1598 during reigns of Francis I, Henry II, Francis II, Charles IX, and Henry III
Troilus de Mesqouez 1598–1603[1][2] Henry III
Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons 1603–1610 Henry IV
Charles de Bourbon, comte de Soissons 1611–1612 Louis XIII (Marie de' Medici in regency)
Henri II, Prince of Condé 1612–1616 Louis XIII (Marie de' Medici in regency)
Pons de Lauzière, Marquis de Thémines de Cardillac 1616–1620 Louis XIII (Marie de' Medici in regency)
Henri II, Prince of Condé 1620 Louis XIII
Henri de Montmorency, 4th Duke of Montmorency 1620–1625 Louis XIII
Henri de Lévis, 3rd Duke of Ventadour 1625–1626 Louis XIII
Cardinal Richelieu 1626–1627 Louis XIII

References

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  1. ^ Morris, Richard Brandon (ed.) (1970 rev.) Encyclopedia of American History Harper and Row, New York, ISBN 0-06-016481-6 p. 59;
  2. ^ Harrisse, Henry (1872) Notes pour servir à l'histoire, à la bibliographie et àla cartographie de la Nouvelle-France et des pays adjacents, 1545-1700. Tross, Paris, p. 14;
Preceded by
none
Lieutenant General of New France
1598–1627
Succeeded by