Francois De La Noue, a French soldier, born near Nantes in 1531, died near Lamballe, Aug. 4, 1591. He belonged to an illustrious family of Brittany, was converted to the reformed religion by D'Andelot, a brother of Coligni, and became one of the most valiant soldiers of the Huguenot army under Conde, distinguishing himself at Dreux, Orleans, and Poitiers, and being captured for the second time at Moncon-tour (1569). The cardinal de Lorraine declined to exchange him for Strozzi, remarking that they had a number of Strozzis, but that the Protestants had only one La Noue. He was however soon released. At the siege of Fon-tenay-le-Comte, in 1570, he lost his left arm, which was replaced by one of iron, whence his sobriquet of bras de fer. He took Valenciennes in 1571, but was obliged to capitulate at Mons in the following year. After a futile attempt to negotiate with the inhabitants of La Rochelle in behalf of Charles IX., he was during four years at the head of the Protestant army. On the restoration of peace he went to Flanders (1578) as grand field marshal in the service of the Low Countries, where after various successes he was captured by the Spaniards and held a prisoner five years.

In 1585 he was exchanged for Philippe Egmont, on condition that his son should remain as a hostage in the custody of the duke of Lorraine. Subsequently he distinguished himself by fresh exploits under Henry IV., who exclaimed, on hearing that La Noue had died of wounds received at the siege of Lamballe, that France had lost in him not only a great warrior, but a man who was still greater by his virtues and humanity; and even a Roman Catholic historian compared him to the chevalier Bayard. He occupied an eminent place in French literature, as one of the finest prose writers of his day. His principal work, Discours politiques et militaires (Basel, 1587), has passed through many editions, and been translated into German and English. His correspondence was edited by Kervyn de Volkaersbeke (Ghent and Paris, 1854).