[4] A few years later, following the death in 1697 of his uncle, Georges de La Feuillade, Bishop of Metz, a review of the diocese financial records showed a large sum of money was missing.

He was promoted Marechal de camp in 1703 and posted to the French army in Italy, allegedly due to the influence of Michel Chamillart, the Minister of War, who became his father-in-law in 1701.

[8] La Feuillade was appointed deputy to Vendôme, French commander in Italy, who gave him responsibility for occupying Villefranche and the County of Savoy, now part of modern-day France.

La Feuillade and Vendôme proposed digging trenches around the City at a distance of 300–400 metres, then blasting the Citadel into submission, an approach known as the 'Coehoorn method', after the Dutch engineer, Menno van Coehoorn.

As a result, Vendôme was sent to Northern France in July and Philippe, Duke of Orléans assumed command in Italy, advised by Marshal Ferdinand de Marsin.

[11] With France's northern border under pressure after Ramillies, Louis XIV needed to end the war in Italy and in March 1707, he agreed the Convention of Milan with Emperor Joseph.

To the fury of Joseph's allies, the French withdrew their remaining garrisons, ceding control of Milan and Mantua to Austria but in return were given free passage to France, allowing them to be redeployed in other theatres.