Orléans

(or-la'an,) the titular ducal designation borne by two branches of the anc, blood-royal of France. Of the first line, the following members receive historic mention: - Louis, 1st duke, 2d son of Charles V. of France, B. 1371, became leader of the faction opposed to the Burgundians, and was a a inated by Jean Sans Peur, Duke of Burgundy, in 1407. He was father of the Count Dunois (q. v.).-His elder son, CHARLES, D. while e aying the conquest of the Milanese, 1465. His son, LOUIS II., s. to the French crown as Louis XII.- Between the extinction of the first and the creation of the second line of O. comes JEAN BAPTISTE GASTON, 3d son of Henry IV. by Marie de Medici, B. 1608, who was created Duc d'O. in 1628. He plotted against his brother Louis XIII., and D. in banishment at Blois, 1660.- The second house of O. opens with PHILIPPE I., 2d son of Louis XIII. by Anne of Austria, B. 1660; D. 1701. His son, PHILIPPE II., B. 1674, became Régent of France after the death of Louis XIV. He was educated in profligacy by the Abbé Dubois, and though endowed with brilliant talents, brought the kingdom almost to ruin. D. suddenly, 1723 - His son, LOUIS, B. 1703; D. 1752.- His son, LOUIS PHILIPPE, was B. 1725; D. 1785.- His son, LOUIS JOSEPH PHILIPPE, B. 1747, known as Philippe Egalité, voted for the death of Louis XVI., and was neverthele guillotined, 1793, leaving a son who, in 1830, became king of the French under the title of Louis Philippe I. - The BASTARD OF ORLEANS. See DUNOIS. Orleans, a fine city of France, C. of dep. Loiret, and formerly of the p. Orle anna is, on the Loire, 34 m. N.E. of Blois. Joan d'Arc (q. v.) compelled the English to raise the siege of O. in 1428-9, and it was in 1870-1 the scene of bloody contests between the French and the Pru ians, the latter twice occupying the city. Pop. 49,100. [s. 669]