Guillaume Cousinot de Montreuil facts for kids

Guillaume Cousinot de Montreuil (born 1400, died 1484) was an important French diplomat, judge, and government official. He worked as France's representative in England from 1444 to 1449. This was a time of peace between the two countries. Besides his diplomatic work, he was also a poet and a historian.

Who Was Guillaume Cousinot?

Guillaume Cousinot de Montreuil was often called Guillaume Cousinot II or Le Jeune (which means The Young). This was because he was the son of another famous person named Guillaume Cousinot le Chancelier. For a long time, historians debated if they were father and son or uncle and nephew. But in the 19th century, a historian named Jules Doinel found old documents that proved they were indeed father and son.

Guillaume studied at the University of Orléans. He earned a degree in law there. His father helped pay for his education. He used money from property he owned that had been taken from the Burgundian Faction.

Guillaume's Early Career

From 1418 to 1436, Guillaume fought for the Armagnac Faction. This was a political group in France.

He held many important jobs in the government. He was a chief manager and judge of mines. He also became a Chancellor and a Chamberlain for Kings Charles VII and Louis XI. Later, he was named a royal advisor and master of requests at the King's court.

Royal Advisor and Diplomat

In 1438, Guillaume became the king's secretary. He was also a royal commissioner. This meant he helped manage the government and its money. In 1442, he became the first president of the Conseil delphinal. This council later became the Parliament of the Dauphiné. He held this role because he advised Prince Louis, who would later become King Louis XI.

Between 1444 and 1449, he worked as a diplomat. He was sent to England to represent France during a truce. He became a knight during the siege of Rouen. After that, he was made the Bailiff (a kind of local governor) of Rouen from 1449 to 1461.

Adventures as an Ambassador

In 1451, Guillaume was sent as an ambassador to Scotland. But his ship was wrecked off the English coast. He was captured and held prisoner for three years! King Charles VII had to pay a large ransom of 20,000 écus to free him. This money was raised from a salt tax in Normandy.

Guillaume became the lord of Montreuil in 1456. He held this title until he died. His personal seal showed a lady holding a heater shield and a helm.

In 1459, he represented the king at the Council of Mantua in Italy. He also became France's ambassador in Rome.

Working for Louis XI

In 1461, King Charles VII died. His son, Louis XI, became the new king. At first, Louis XI put Guillaume Cousinot de Montreuil in jail. But then he changed his mind and made Guillaume his chamberlain.

Guillaume was given more important roles. He became the caretaker of the Conciergerie (a famous prison). He was also made captain of Cabrières in Languedoc. This happened after the Treaty of Bayonne. He also gained titles like Lord of Lattes-lès-Montpellier, captain of Sauxes (Salses), and governor of Montpellier.

In 1464, he was still listed as one of the king's advisors and knights. He stayed loyal to King Louis XI during a conflict called the Ligue du Bien public in 1465. Because of his loyalty, Louis XI increased his pension from 600 to 3000 francs.

Guillaume's Writings

In 1467, Guillaume started writing a historical book called the Chronique de la Pucelle. This book began with parts of a chronicle written by his father. Then, it told the story of Joan of Arc. However, some historians, like Craig Taylor, believe Guillaume was not the author of this specific chronicle. Taylor thinks Guillaume wrote a different text defending the French monarchy against England. This text was called *Pour ce que Plusieurs (La Loy Salique)*.

In 1469, Guillaume wrote a poem called Réponse à Robertet sur le départ de la belle Étiennette.

In 1470, he was again sent as an ambassador to Rome.

Final Years

In 1483, King Louis XI died. Even though Guillaume was very old, he became an advisor to the new king, Charles VIII of France. In 1484, he attended a big meeting called the Estates General in Tours. He died in the same year.