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Rochefoucaulds

The Rochefoucaulds, or La Rochefoucauld, are a French noble family from Poitou with medieval origins. The principal line possessed the lordship of La Rochefoucauld in Charente, and the family became prominent in royal service and landholding.

The family seat is Château de La Rochefoucauld near Angoulême. The main line acquired ducal title in

The best-known member is François de La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680), a leading moralist and author of The Maxims,

In the modern era the Rochefoucaulds survived as a noble house with cadet branches, some bearing the

the
early
modern
period;
members
held
high
offices
at
court,
in
the
military,
and
in
governance.
a
compact
collection
of
aphorisms
reflecting
on
pride,
virtue,
and
social
life;
the
work
had
a
lasting
influence
on
French
and
European
literature.
combined
surnames
La
Rochefoucauld-Liancourt;
their
estates
and
titles
have
continued
to
be
recognized,
though
the
political
role
of
the
nobility
diminished
after
the
French
Revolution.