The ligueur city was not happy about the choice, and their frustration deepened when La Guerche proved unable to achieve military success against the royalists.

[3] In 1569, during the combats of the third civil war La Guerche received appointment as guidon of Anjou, brother of the king's, ordinance company.

Jean de Saulx did not buy this retrospective explanation, instead seeing it as a manifestation of internal conflict in the ducal household, Lignerolles and the Villequiers being rivals for Anjou's affection.

[14][15] In 1578, Henri established a new order of chivalry, conscious of the dilution of prestige that now accompanied the Ordre de Saint Michel.

In negotiations that took place in September 1580 La Guerche was among the notables who represented the prince in discussions with the Dutch delegates.

[18] While he had previously served as Chambellan for the duke of Anjou, he was granted the office in the year 1580 in Henri's capacity as king of France.

[22] The duke of Mayenne, in his ligueur capacity as lieutenant-general of the kingdom was keen to secure the loyalty of the sieur de Boisseguin, who commanded the Château of Poitiers.

As a condition for his support Boisseguin asked that La Guerche be appointed as governor of the city, a request to which Mayenne acceded.

[24] Concerned about the resistance the city had presented him in granting him the office, he oversaw the printing of an official commission for him from the ligueur candidate for king (who was in royalist captivity) Charles X.

[25] As ligueur governor La Guerche had responsibility to preside over the rebel 'Union Council' that controlled many of the affairs of the city and planned military strategy.

[26] La Guerche quickly found the city of Poitiers in opposition to him, due to his poor military performance.

Boissegun refused to yield the Château, so the rebels took La Guerche prisoner and began firing cannon at the fortress.

[28] He was forced on the defensive by attacks from Henri's cousin the prince of Conti who advanced into suburb of Cueille Mirebalaise during July 1591.

[23] When news arrived that the young duke of Guise had escaped his royalist captivity in August 1591, the leaders of the city quickly began campaigning for him to take over as governor from La Guerche.

An urgent meeting was held in response, that examined La Guerche's recent behaviour, including the stationing of troops not far from the city.

[28] Despite this ultimatum the city authorities lacked the ability to expel him, and on 27 September he attended a meeting of the Union Council.