Lieutenant General of New France was the title of a French official who governed early New France (including the colonies of Canada and Acadia) from 1598 until 1627. Before 1598, the post was briefly occupied from 1541 to 1543. It was the first vice-regal post in what would later become Canada, and it was a precursor of the modern-day office of Governor General of Canada, the representative of King Charles III, Canada's king and head of state.
Most holders of the title never set foot in New France, except for Jean-François de la Rocque de Roberval and Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons. The others served in the post from the comfort of the Kingdom of France. The title was replaced in 1627 by the post of Governor of New France.
Office Holder | Term | Appointed by |
---|---|---|
Jean-François de la Rocque de Roberval | 1541–1543 | Francis I |
vacant | 1543–1598 | during reigns of Francis I, Henry II, Francis II, Charles IX, and Henry III |
Troilus de Mesqouez | 1598–1603[1][2] | Henry III |
Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons | 1603–1610 | Henry IV |
Charles de Bourbon, comte de Soissons | 1611–1612 | Louis XIII (Marie de' Medici in regency) |
Henri II, Prince of Condé | 1612–1616 | Louis XIII (Marie de' Medici in regency) |
Pons de Lauzière, Marquis de Thémines de Cardillac | 1616–1620 | Louis XIII (Marie de' Medici in regency) |
Henri II, Prince of Condé | 1620 | Louis XIII |
Henri de Montmorency, 4th Duke of Montmorency | 1620–1625 | Louis XIII |
Henri de Lévis, 3rd Duke of Ventadour | 1625–1626 | Louis XIII |
Cardinal Richelieu | 1626–1627 | Louis XIII |