, surnamed Bras de Fer (Iron Arm), a celebrated warrior, was born in Bretany,
, surnamed Bras de Fer (Iron Arm), a celebrated warrior, was born in Bretany, in 1531,
In his youth he served in Italy, and, returning to France,
joined the Calvinists, and rendered them the most important services by his courage, prudence, and integrity. He
took Orleans from the catholics, Sept. 28, 1567; commanded the rear at the battle of Jarnac in 1569, and made
himself master of several strong places. His left arm being broken at the taking of Fontenay in Poitou, it was cut
off at Rochelle, and he had an iron one made, which he
used with great ease, and was from thence surnamed Bras
de Fer. In 1578, La Noue engaged in the service of the
Netherlands, gave them great assistance, and made count
Egmont prisoner at the capture of Ninove; but was himself taken prisoner in 1580, and not exchanged for the
count till 1585. La Noue continued to serve with great
glory under king Henry IV. but was mortally wounded in
the head, by a musket-ball, at the siege of Lambale in
1591, and died a few days after. He left “Discours Politiques,
” Geneva, Poesies Chretiennes,
” Geneva,