damaged Spanish-Napolitan fleet retreated. On 21 January 1651 he was rewarded with a Cross of the Knight of Grace by Grand Master Lascaris. In 1654, he was promoted to lieutenant-general and vice-admiral of the Levant Fleet. The same year, he met the king. Paul, who had never mounted a horse before, was noted for his handling and manner with his horse at the time of the cavalcade given for the coronation of Louis XIV. Returning to Toulon, he took back to sea at the head of three ships and six galleys, and fought outside of Castellammare near Naples against fifteen enemy galleys, which he was forced to withdraw from. This largely individual action turned out to be decisive for the survival of the French contingent disembarking at Tuscany. In 1655, he returned to the French court. The Duke of Vendome presented him to Louis XIV who gave Paul an honorable welcome, praising his bravery and congratulating him on his many victories. In the same year Paul was posted to Barcelona by the Duke of Vendome. One source on the combat noted that “Chevalier Paul showed on this occasion such valor and conduct, that we do not know how to dignifiedly speak of it.” Chevalier Paul entered into the port of Malta with three French galleys, and there received honors from Grand Master Rafael Cotoner. In 1657, he commanded a squadron of seven ships, and flew for the first time the flag of vice-admiral. In June-July 1658, he was sent by the Duke of Mercoeur, governor of Provence, to block the port of Marseille. In 1659, he received the charge of commander of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Missions in the mediterranean (1660-1666) In 1661, Paul fought using the lone vessel L’Hercule, which had 28 cannons and 320 crewmen, against 25 Turkish ships for an entire day. Despite being overwhelmed, Paul nevertheless managed to escape during the night. Chevalier Paul led the first relief force sent by Louis XIV to the Venetians who were under siege by the Turks at Candia. In 1662, he commanded a squadron of six ships and flew the flag of vice-admiral. In 1663, again on board L’Hercule, he had the Duke of Beaufort and many other members of the gentry under his command, many of whom voluntarily wished to follow Paul. On 12 May, he confronted 25 Tunisian corsaires. After fighting for an entire