Charles Cauchon de Maupas facts for kids
Charles Cauchon de Maupas et du Thour (1566-1629) was a French diplomat who worked as an ambassador for France. He visited the courts of James VI of Scotland and later James I of England. He was the son of Jean-Baptiste Cauchon de Maupas and Marie de Morillon.
Visiting Scotland in 1602
People in England and Scotland often called him the "Baron de Tour" or "Baron du Thour". In 1602, King Henry IV of France sent him as a special representative to James VI of Scotland. Henry IV wanted to send a gift of horses and mules to Scotland. This was a thank-you gift for the hunting dogs King James had sent him earlier.
Baron de Tour and his wife, Anne de Gondi, arrived in England by ship at Scarborough. They traveled through England to Edinburgh. Their two ships carrying the horses and mules met them at Leith on July 21, 1602.
A few weeks later, in August 1602, the Baron met King James VI. They spoke in the garden of Falkland Palace and the Baron often made the king laugh. The Baron stayed in Falkland village for a few days. He later went hunting with King James in Falkland Park. He also met the queen, Anne of Denmark.
After this, he returned to his lodging in Leith. He was also a guest at Stirling Castle, hosted by the Earl of Mar. He even had a chat with the Earl's mother at her home, Mar's Wark.
He then went to Hamilton Palace, where Lord Hamilton hosted him. He went hunting with the king and the Duke of Lennox. They also played a card game called "mawe." Meanwhile, his wife, Anne de Gondi, was entertained by Queen Anne of Denmark at Falkland.
In November 1602, Baron de Tour spoke with an Italian teacher. This teacher had accused someone named Francis Mowbray of a serious crime. The Baron thought the teacher was clever but also dishonest. He advised King James VI on how to handle the situation.
The Union of the Crowns
In 1603, Baron de Tour traveled with King James VI to England. This was when James became King of England as well, in an event known as the Union of the Crowns. The Baron's wife was pregnant at the time. She was carried all the way from Edinburgh to London in a special chair. Eight porters took turns carrying her.
King James sent Baron de Tour to Henry IV of France at Palace of Fontainebleau in France. This happened soon after James arrived in London. King James also asked Henry IV to make Baron de Tour the main French ambassador living in England.
In 1606, Baron de Tour was sent to London again. His job was to congratulate King James on surviving the Gunpowder Plot. This was a famous plan to blow up the Parliament building.
Visiting England in 1617
Baron de Tour returned to England as a special ambassador in February 1617. His ship had a rough journey and was almost destroyed in a storm. He had to rest in Dover for a few days to recover.
His visit was quite grand because he was an old friend of the king. He met with King James several times. He left England in March, receiving a gift of silver plate.
Marmaduke Darrell spent a lot of money, about £1000, to host the ambassador. During his time in London, the famous writer Ben Jonson wrote a special play called Lovers Made Men. This play was performed for Baron de Tour at a party hosted by Lord Hay. The performance was organized by Lucy Russell, Countess of Bedford. People at the time noted that the entertainment was very expensive.
After he left England, Viscount Fenton wrote that the Baron's main task was to report on the health of the French Princess.
Family Life
Charles Cauchon married Anne de Gondi in 1600. Anne was the oldest daughter of Jérôme de Gondi, who worked for Marie de' Medici, the Queen of France. As mentioned, Anne was pregnant when they were in London in May 1603. Their son, Henri Cauchon de Maupas (1604-1680), later became a bishop.
