René of Lorraine, marquis of Elbeuf

René II de Lorraine, Marquis d'Elbeuf was a French noble and soldier during the latter Italian Wars and early French Wars of Religion. The youngest son of Claude de Lorraine, Duke of Guise and Antoinette de Bourbon-Vendôme Elbeuf's career began at a young age. With the resumption of the Italian Wars in 1551, he joined Marshal Brissac in his siege of Chieri. In the following years he would be involved in the expedition that seized Corsica, and a further campaign in Italy in 1557, before playing a key role in the capture of Calais in early 1558. Though only the sixth son of the late duke, an advantageous marriage was secured for him with the prominent heiress Louise de Rieux through which he gained much of the County of Harcourt. In tandem with this arrangement his barony was elevated to a marquisate.