The English take their pleasures sadly after the fashion of their country. - Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully

About Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully

Maximilien de Béthune Sully (13 December 1560 – 22 December 1641) was a nobleman, soldier, statesman, and counselor of King Henry IV of France. Historians emphasize Sully's role in building a strong, centralized administrative system in France using coercion and highly effective new administrative techniques. While not all of his policies were original, he used them well to revitalize France after the European Religious Wars. Most, however, were repealed by later monarchs who preferred absolute power. Historians have also studied his and his ideas about virtue, prudence, and discipline.

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