Jacques Davy Duperron facts for kids

Jacques Davy Duperron was an important French leader.

Jacques Davy Duperron (born 15 November 1556, died 6 December 1618) was a smart French politician. He also became a high-ranking leader in the Catholic Church called a cardinal.

Early Life and Learning

Jacques Davy du Perron was born in Saint-Lô, a town in Normandy, France. His family was part of the lower nobility. His father, Julien, was a doctor who became a Protestant minister. His mother was Ursine Le Cointe.

When Jacques was young, his family faced tough times. During a war in 1562, his father was put in prison. His mother and two children escaped. To avoid being persecuted for their beliefs, the family moved to Bern, in Switzerland.

Jacques got a great education there. His father taught him Latin and mathematics. He also learned Greek and Hebrew. He studied important ideas from famous thinkers like Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas. He also learned from St. Augustine, a favorite of the Calvinists.

After a terrible event called the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in 1572, his family had to flee again. They went to the Island of Jersey, which was controlled by Protestant England.

Working for King Henry III

Later, Jacques du Perron returned to Normandy. A courtier noticed his amazing talents and knowledge. This courtier took him to Blois, where the new King, Henry III of France, lived. Jacques impressed the King with his speaking skills and smart answers.

Around 1578, Jacques stopped being a Protestant and became Catholic. He was then appointed as a "Reader to the King." This meant he read to the King. He was also called a "Professor to the King" in languages, math, and philosophy.

The King asked him to give a sermon in 1585. He also gave a speech about the poet Ronsard in 1586. These speeches were very successful and made him decide to become a priest. After Mary, Queen of Scots died in 1587, King Henry III asked Jacques to write a poem in her honor.

Working for King Henry IV

After King Henry III died in 1589, Jacques du Perron became a loyal helper to Henry IV. In 1591, King Henry IV made him the bishop of Évreux. The Pope finally agreed to this in 1595. Jacques was officially made a bishop in Rome that same year.

He helped King Henry IV learn about the Catholic religion. In 1594, he went to Rome to help Henry get forgiveness from the Pope. Henry had been a Protestant, and the Pope needed to officially accept him as a Catholic king. Jacques and another helper, Arnaud d'Ossat, performed a special ceremony in Rome in 1595. This ended many years of arguments about France's king and the Pope.

When he returned to France, Jacques worked hard to stop the spread of Calvinism (a type of Protestantism). He convinced many people to become Catholic. He also had a famous debate in 1600 with a Protestant leader named Du Plessis Mornay.

Becoming a Cardinal

On 9 June 1604, Pope Clement VIII made Jacques du Perron a cardinal. King Henri IV had asked for this. The King himself gave Jacques his red cardinal's hat in a public ceremony.

Cardinal du Perron then traveled to Rome for more ceremonies. King Henry IV gave him special instructions for his trip. He was to talk with leaders in Savoy and Tuscany. He also discussed who might become the next Pope. Cardinal du Perron arrived in Rome in December 1604. In January 1605, he was named a Cardinal Priest.

The Pope gave Cardinal du Perron important work right away. He joined a special group to discuss a difficult religious question about God's plan and human free will.

When Pope Clement VIII died in March 1605, Cardinal du Perron helped choose the next Pope. He supported the French King's choice, Cardinal de' Medici, who became Pope Leo XI. But Leo XI died only 24 days later! So, du Perron helped choose the next Pope again. This time, Cardinal Camillo Borghese became Paul V.

Pope Paul V continued the religious discussions, and Cardinal du Perron kept working on them. He also helped solve a big argument between Pope Paul V and the Republic of Venice. The Pope was angry because Venice had passed laws that limited the Church's power. This could have led to war. King Henry IV asked Cardinal du Perron and another cardinal to help make peace. They helped solve the problem, and Venice thanked du Perron for his efforts.

In 1606, while still in Rome, the King made du Perron the archbishop of Sens. This was approved by Pope Paul V. As archbishop, he became a very important religious leader in France and Germany. He also became the King's Grand Almoner, which meant he was in charge of the King's library.

Cardinal du Perron returned to France in 1607. He visited many important people on his way home. He was often at the Royal Court for over a year. He officially took his place in the Cathedral of Sens in October 1608.

After King Henry IV died in 1610, Cardinal du Perron continued to be active in French politics. He strongly supported the Pope's authority over the French King. He gave a famous speech against an oath to the French crown. This speech led to a debate with King James VI and I of England.

Jacques Davy du Perron died on 5 September 1618, at 63 years old. His body was buried in his cathedral in Sens.