Jean Baptiste Pierre Constant, Count of Suzannet

He was born in the master bedroom of the family manor house, the Château la Chardière, in the French locality of Chavagnes-en-Paillers. His family had been residing there for generations and a descendant now owns the house. During his early years, he developed a liking for traditional country pursuits, such as riding and hunting.

Coat of Arms of the de Suzannet family

Because of the tremendous political and social instability caused by the French Revolution, Suzannet emigrated to Britain in 1792, but he returned to France in 1795, following the landing at Quiberon, to fight for God and country. When he arrived, he was placed under the command of François de Charette.

Charette was captured and executed in 1796, Suzannet succeeded as head of the Army of Lower Poitou during the insurrection of 1799.

Napoleon Bonaparte's return to Paris from exile on the Isle of Elba in 1815 caused a change of government that the people from the Vendée were reluctant to accept. The vast majority of the people in the area -including Suzannet himself- were deeply royalist. On June 20, 1815, at the Battle of Rocheserviere, Pierre de Suzannet was badly injured fighting for King Louis XVIII against loyal Bonapartist troops. As a result of his horrible injuries, the Comte de Suzannet died the next day at Aigrefeuille-sur-Maine.