Richelieu, Abbot of Cîteaux

Cardinal Richelieu received the cardinal's biretta today, in 1622. Many do not know how important l'Éminence Rouge was to monastic orders in the 17th century, since he was neither monk nor theologian. The infamous cardinal was, however, Abbot General of the Cistercians, Benedictines, and Premonstratensians... all at the same time. Cistercian historian Louis Lekai called him "one of the most intriguing personalities of French history," noting that Richelieu was a master of ecclesiastical administration, and manipulated it to his own benefit. 
He was particularly interested in prelatial abbeys, not mendicants, since the ancient monastic orders had so much power and wealth: "The traditional feudal privileges of these orders were still virtually intact; they ruled over hundreds of monasteries in possession of the richest land of the country; and, since they were dominated by the French nobility, considerable political power enhanced their immense material wealth" (Lekai, “Cardinal Richelieu as Abbot of Citeaux.” The Catholic Historical Review 42.2 (1956) 137–156, at 138). 
Another fascinating thing about Richelieu is his relationship to Armand de Rancé (1626–1700), the famous Trappist ascetic. Rancé was born into a wealthy Parisian family. As a boy, he enjoyed a close relationship with Cardinal Richelieu, because he was Rancé’s godfather. After his conversion, Rancé became an ardent reformer. But as a boy and young man, the future Trappist had the same first name as the cardinal.