Lestang, Christophe

Lestang, Christophe a French prelate, was born at Brives in 1560. When not more than twenty years of age he was made bishop of Lodeve, in which position he devoted himself to the destruction of Calvinism, then very rite in Languedoc, and for this he received of Henry III a pension of twelve thousand crowns per month. The League counted him among its most fervent advocates. He had a contest with the duke of Montmorency. Lestang lost all the revenues of his bishopric, and the palace which he had built was destroyed. To make amends, Henry III gave to him the episcopal house and the revenues of the bishopric of Carcassonne, which Montmorency had enjoyed. In 1604 he was made bishop of Carcassonne. Louis XIII made him commander of his orders, grand master of his chapel, member of his private council, and director of his finances. Lestang continued to fill important offices until his death, which occurred at Carcassonne, August 11, 1621. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.