Francis of Ligny

François de Luxembourg, duc de Piney was a French noble, prince étranger, military commander and diplomat during the latter French Wars of Religion. Born into a sovereign noble family, Piney expected an esteemed place in the French court. He fought for Henry III during the sixth war of religion under the nominal command of the king's brother Alençon seeing combat at La Charité-sur-Loire and Issoire. The following year, 1578, he was elevated as a chevalier de l'Ordre de Saint-Michel, although he complained frustratedly to the secretary of state about how we was shut out from access to the king's person.