His family traced their descent from the 11th century, and in the reign of Louis XI, were in the service of the King of France.
[3] Among his extended family were uncles Odet de Coligny,[4] and François de Coligny d'Andelot,[5] who both played an important part in the first period of the Wars of Religion.
Then, when the situation became difficult, he made a sortie across the Cévennes to Bergerac to recruit reinforcements and fought his way back into the town.
[6] At the start of the war of the Catholic League, when king Henry III had practically no other support, he beat the Duke of Mayenne near Chartres in 1589.
[7] He distinguished himself at the Battle of Arques in September 1589, where his arrival at the head of 500 arquebusiers allowed the victory of Henry IV to be expanded upon.