Étienne Marcel facts for kids
Étienne Marcel was an important leader in Paris, France, who lived in the 1300s (from about 1302-1310 to 1358). He was the "provost" (a kind of mayor or chief official) for the merchants of Paris. He became famous for standing up for the city's small business owners and skilled workers.
During the Hundred Years' War, he played a big role in meetings of the "Estates General." This was a group of representatives from different parts of French society. In 1357, he led a movement to try and make the French monarchy (the king's power) more controlled. He challenged the power of the "Dauphin," who was the king's son and heir.
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Étienne Marcel's Early Life
Étienne Marcel came from a rich family in Paris. His father, Simon Marcel, was a cloth merchant. He grew up at a time when cities like Paris were becoming very powerful. Paris was one of the biggest cities in Western Europe, with about 200,000 people around 1328.
Marcel married twice. His first wife was Jeanne de Dammartin. Later, he married Marguerite des Essars, who lived longer than he did.
Leading the Merchants of Paris
Étienne Marcel became the provost of the Parisian merchants in 1354. This meant he represented the business leaders of the "Third Estate." The Third Estate included common people, like merchants and farmers, unlike the nobles or church leaders.
At this time, France was facing many challenges. One of his first big meetings in 1355 aimed to control the kingdom's money.
Challenges During Wartime
In 1356, King John the Good was captured by the English after the Battle of Poitiers. His son, Charles, who was the Dauphin, called the Estates General together.
Étienne Marcel, along with Robert le Coq, a bishop, became a main leader. They pushed for new taxes and reforms. The Dauphin did not like their demands and sent the group away. To help protect Paris, Marcel also started building a strong gate, which later became part of the famous Bastille.
Pushing for Reforms
The Dauphin needed money, especially to pay the ransom for his father, King John. So, he had to call the Estates General again in 1357. This led to a major reform law called the "Great Ordinance of 1357."
However, King John, still a prisoner, did not want this law to be put into action. This caused a conflict between Marcel and the Dauphin. Marcel tried to get Charles the Bad, the King of Navarre, to oppose King John.
Conflict in Paris
The Estates General met again in January 1358. On February 22, the people of Paris, led by Marcel, entered the palace. Some royal officials, the marshals of Champagne and Normandy, were killed in front of the prince.
These events showed that the assemblies were struggling to solve the kingdom's problems. The killing of nobles made many aristocrats stop supporting Marcel. The Dauphin Charles was then able to gain more power and protect the royal family's rule.
Marcel's Final Stand
After these events, Marcel openly opposed the king. He hoped that a peasant uprising called the Jacquerie would help his cause. When that didn't work, he supported the King of Navarre, whose armed groups were causing trouble near Paris.
On the night of July 31, Marcel planned to open the city gates to these groups. But another Parisian, Jean Maillart, stopped him. Étienne Marcel was killed by guards at the Porte Saint-Antoine gate. Many Parisians believed he had gone too far in opposing the king and feared he might hand the city over to the English. In the days that followed, many of Marcel's supporters were also killed. The Dauphin was then able to return to Paris.
See also
In Spanish: Étienne Marcel para niños
