economic reform. The assembly consisted of representatives of all three recognized orders (clergy, nobility and bourgeois). They met in Melun on 11 July with Châtelet making the open address. Military role In 1788 the Duke took command as colonel of the Regiment of French Guards, "succeeding but not replacing" the respected Duke de Biron. This elite unit of the Royal Military Household was permanently stationed in Paris and had many ties with the local population. Châtelet introduced "Prussian" codes of military discipline, which included harsh measures of physical punishment. At the same time he neglected to enforce greater professionalism amongst the aristocratic officer corps, who were often absent on leave and who left day-to-day administration of the regiment to its sergeants and corporals. As a result, obedience to orders amongst the rank and file weakened in the face of the increased disturbances in Paris during June–July 1789. Revolution and death On 12 July the unpopular Châtelet was recognized in a Paris street and pursued by a hostile crowd. He was rescued by a detachment of French Guards but two days later most of the regiment went over to the revolution, joining in the storming of the Bastille. Châtelet was subsequently arrested and, following a period in prison, guillotined on 13 December 1793. With his death the Châtelet family came to an end - there were 11 branches but all of them had died out, and he was the last member of the last surviving branch. Honours and titles Duc de France (Marquis before 1770) Grand-croix, Ordre de Saint-Louis Chevalier, Ordre de Malte Chevalier, Ordre du Saint-Esprit See also Hôtel du Châtelet House of Lorraine List of Ambassadors of France to the United Kingdom References Sources Hubert Saget Louis Marie Florent du Châtelet 1727 births 1793 deaths People from Côte-d'Or Peers of France French marquesses French Army officers Cavalry commanders Ambassadors of France to Austria Ambassadors of France to Great Britain 18th-century French diplomats Dukes of Châtelet Knights of Malta Knights of the Order of Saint Louis French nobility French people executed by guillotine during the French Revolution