Sourdis, Franlois Descoubleau, Cardinal of

Sourdis, Franlois D'escoubleau, Cardinal Of, was born in 1575 at Bordeaux, of a noble house, originally from Poictou. In youth he accompanied the. duke of Nevers to Rome in a military capacity, but suddenly entered holy orders under the good graces of Clement VIII, and was furnished with the rich deanery of Aubrac. By solicitation of Henry IV, he was made cardinal at the age of twenty-three (March 3, 1598); and was nominated as archbishop of Bordeaux in 1599, while yet a deacon. He established a great number of religious houses, and assisted at the elections of popes Leo XI and Paul V. He eventually became embroiled with the civil authorities, and died Feb. 8, 1628. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.