Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban

French soldier and fortifier. Born to a minor noble family in central France. Orphaned at the age of 10, he became an officer in the Condé army in 1651. He participated in the first battle in 1653 and felt the need to build new fortresses. He built many fortresses on the Flanders border until the Dutch War. He also tried to capture new fortresses during the siege of Maastricht in 1673. In 1667 he became the commander of fortifications. In addition to fortifications, he also participated in naval ports, canals, and weapon modifications, and became a marshal in 1703. He was a nobleman who was critical of the policies of Louis XIV, and in 1689 he warned of the danger of the abolition of the Royal Decree of Nantes. He also toured around the country and learned of the serious hardships facing the people. In 1698 he wrote "The King's Tithes" calling for equal taxation according to income, which he published in 1707, but was banned and he fell from power.

[Haruo Chiba]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

フランスの軍人、築城家。中部フランスの小貴族出身。10歳で孤児となったが、1651年コンデ軍の将校になる。53年最初の戦闘に参加して新城塞(じょうさい)構築の必要を感じ、以後、オランダ戦争に至るまでフランドル国境に多くの城塞を築いた。一方、73年のマーストリヒト攻囲戦では新城塞攻略法を試みる。67年築城司令官。築城のほか、軍港、運河、兵器改造にも参画し、1703年元帥となる。高潔な性格でルイ14世の政策にも批判的で、1689年にナントの王令（勅令）廃止の危険性を警告した。また、国内各地を巡見し、民衆の深刻な生活苦を知り、98年、収入に応じた均等課税を求める『国王十分の一税』を著し、1707年に刊行したが、禁止され、失脚した。

［千葉治男］

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