Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord Biography and Timeline

Birth of Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord

Birth of Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord

Agent General

Appointed Agent General of the French Clergy

Church Properties

Instrumental in drafting a general inventory of church properties in France

Talleyrand observes fiscal crisis of old regime

As agent general of the clergy, Talleyrand belonged to the institutional world challenged by proposals to reform revenue. The consequences of first assembly of notables meets near court reached well beyond the palace and its neighbouring legislative chambers.

Role range: 1789-1792

Bishop

Appointed Bishop of Autun, a bishopric that is something of a family possession

Talleyrand enters Estates General for clergy

The Bishop of Autun brought administrative experience and a reformist outlook to the clerical delegation. The talleyrand elected clergy deputy formed part of the transition from estate-based consultation toward claims of national sovereignty.

Role range: 1789-1792

Election as Clergy Deputy

Talleyrand was elected as a clergy deputy for Autun to the Estates General.

Role range: 1789-1792

Talleyrand attends with clergy deputies

Talleyrand appeared among the clerical representatives at a gathering that would soon challenge the separate estates. The consequences of ceremonial procession of three estates reached well beyond the palace and its neighbouring legislative chambers.

Role range: 1789-1792

Talleyrand joins clerical procession

Talleyrand stood with deputies of the First Estate during the last great representative ceremony of the old order. The consequences of deputies join ceremonial procession helped redefine the place of the three orders in French public life.

Role range: 1789-1792

Talleyrand moves toward reform coalition

Talleyrand became one of the clerical representatives willing to join the common political process. The consequences of clerical union negotiations continue helped redefine the place of the three orders in French public life.

Role range: 1789-1792

Union with Third Estate

Talleyrand joined deputies of the Third Estate as the representative orders moved toward a single national assembly.

Role range: 1789-1792

Church Property Proposal

Talleyrand proposed placing church property at the disposal of the nation to address the state's financial crisis.

Role range: 1789-1792

Reform of Civil Liberties

Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord Benevente proposed to issue assignats to be payed for by the confiscation of Church property.

Role range: 1789-1792

Reform of Civil Liberties

Proposes to issue assignats to be payed for by the confiscation of Church property

Role range: 1789-1792

Election

Elected to the Estates General, represents the clergy, the First Estate

Civil Constitution of the Clergy

Proposes the Civil Constitution of the Clergy that nationalizes the Church & swears in the 2 two constitutional bishops

Constitution of France

Proposes the Civil Constitution of the Clergy that nationalizes the Church & swears in the 2 two constitutional bishops

Nationalization

Proposes the Civil Constitution of the Clergy that nationalizes the Church & swears in the 2 two constitutional bishops

Church Property Offered for National Needs

Talleyrand proposed making Church property available to the nation, foreshadowing a comprehensive reconstruction of ecclesiastical finance and administration.

Role range: 1789-1799

Assembly votes Church property into national control

In November the legislature placed Church property at the disposal of the nation. Talleyrand's earlier proposal helped shape the debate that led to the decision.

Role range: 1789-1792

Bishop supports reform of ecclesiastical taxation

During discussions about privilege and public finance, Talleyrand accepted the need to alter the old system of Church revenue. The reforms challenged traditional clerical autonomy.

Role range: 1789-1792

Church estates become security for public finance

Revolutionary legislators looked to confiscated ecclesiastical assets to support public credit. Talleyrand's arguments connected institutional reform with the need to stabilize government finance.

Role range: 1789-1792

Clerical deputy approaches reformers of Third Estate

Talleyrand favored cooperation across the estates as arguments over common representation deepened. The realignment weakened the traditional separate voting of clergy, nobility and commons.

Role range: 1789-1792

Deputies debate Church resources in financial emergency

State insolvency brought ecclesiastical wealth into constitutional debate. As Bishop of Autun, Talleyrand argued that national needs could justify fundamental changes in Church property arrangements.

Role range: 1789-1792

Talleyrand advocates putting Church lands at nation's disposal

On 10 October, Talleyrand proposed that ecclesiastical property be made available for national purposes. His intervention offered a dramatic response to the treasury crisis.

Role range: 1789-1792

Talleyrand backs creation of national legislature

The emergence of the National Assembly challenged inherited corporate privilege. Talleyrand's willingness to participate in the new body identified him with constitutional reform.

Role range: 1789-1792

Talleyrand endorses constitutional limits on clerical privilege

He worked within a legislature dismantling the Church's traditional corporate position. His choices alienated defenders of ecclesiastical independence.

Role range: 1789-1792

Talleyrand represents clergy of Autun

Talleyrand entered the Estates General as a bishop elected by the clergy of Autun. His presence placed an experienced church administrator inside the emerging constitutional revolution.

Role range: 1789-1792

Estates General

Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord Benevente was elected to the Estates General, represents the clergy, the First Estate.

Role range: 1789-1792

Estates General

Elected to the Estates General, represents the clergy, the First Estate

Role range: 1789-1792

President of National Assembly

Talleyrand became president of the National Assembly while supporting major institutional reforms.

Role range: 1789-1792

Festival of the Federation Mass

Talleyrand celebrated Mass at the Festival of the Federation before the king, deputies and National Guards.

Role range: 1789-1792

Reform of Revolutionary Currency

Assignats become legal tender

Role range: 1789-1792

Reform of Revolutionary Currency

Assignats become legal tender.

Role range: 1789-1792

Civil Constitution Oath

Talleyrand took the oath required by the Civil Constitution of the Clergy.

Role range: 1789-1792

Letter to Autun Clergy

Talleyrand urged clergy in his diocese to take the constitutional oath after he had sworn it himself.

Role range: 1789-1792

Bishop of Autun Confronts National Church Plan

Talleyrand favoured a settlement in which bishops and clergy would operate within a framework established by elected national representatives.

Role range: 1789-1799

Civil Constitution Adopted by Constituent Assembly

Talleyrand sided with reformers when the Assembly adopted the Civil Constitution of the Clergy, radically revising episcopal and parish administration.

Role range: 1789-1799

Ecclesiastical Appeals and Old Hierarchies Curtailed

The new legislation altered procedures for church governance and jurisdiction; Talleyrand accepted the primacy of a reorganized French episcopate.

Role range: 1789-1799

King's Sanction Gives Clergy Reform Legal Effect

Royal sanction allowed the Civil Constitution to proceed as law despite substantial resistance among bishops and questions about recognition from Rome.

Role range: 1789-1799