Villars

Villars the name of a French family of Lyons noted for the part which it took in public affairs during the 16th century.

1. FRANCOIS, born in 1514, and died Nov. 1. 1582, was the son of Pierre, a public functionary of his native city. As lieutenant of the presidial, he aided in the war against the Huguenots, who pillaged his house in 1562. He left an Abrege du Sacrament de l'Autel, which, Balthasar, one of his sons, published in 1594.

2. HENRI, nephew of Pierre 3, was born in 1620, and, died Dec. 28, 1693. As coadjutor of his uncle (after 1652), he scrupulously attended to the duties of the see.

3. JEROME, brother of Pierre 2, died Jan. 18, 1626. He acted as clerk of the French Parliament in 1594, and canon and architect of Vienne, where he became bishop in 1599. He was active in subserving the interests of the Council of Trent.

4. PIERRE (1), brother of François, was born in 1517. He graduated at the University of Padua (1539), and attached himself to cardinal Tournon, who occupied him with several important errands. In 1555 he became clerk of Parliament, in 1561 bishop of Mirepoix, and in 1575 archbishop of Vienne. He sustained Henri III against the Estates of Blois. In 1586 he resigned all his dignities, and lived in retirement till his death, Nov. 14,1592. He is the author of some ascetic treatises.

5. PIERRE (2), nephew of the preceding, was born, March 3, 1545. He was made doctor by the Sorbonne, and in 1575 succeeded his uncle as bishop of Mirepoix and in 1587 as archbishop of Vienne. In 1599 he resigned his office, and retired first to Annonay, and afterwards to Lyons. He died July 18,1613, at Saint-Genis Laval, near Lyons.

6. PIERRE (3), cousin of Pierre 2, became his coadjutor in 1612, and succeeded him in 1626 as archbishop of Vienne. He died in 1663.