Louis Nicolas le Tonnelier de Breteuil

Former King's reader, he was sent in 1682 by Louis XIV to the Duke of Mantua as envoy.

His mission was to ensure the application of the secret treaty signed with him, to monitor him and to assess France's chances in Mantua and Montferrat.

Recalled to Paris in 1684, he sold his office as the King's reader and became, in 1698, the Introducer of the Ambassadors.

Breteuil remained introducer until 1715 when he sold his office for 250,000 pounds to Joseph Magny, Marquis de Foucault.

He is the father of the Marquise du Châtelet and the Abbé de Breteuil.

The baron of Breteuil by Hyacinthe Rigaud