Mathieu Molé facts for kids
Mathieu Molé (born 1584 – died 3 January 1656) was an important French statesman. He lived during a time of great change in France. He is remembered for trying to keep peace and fairness during difficult political times.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Mathieu Molé was born in 1584. His father, Edouard Molé, was a chief legal officer for a while. Mathieu studied at the University of Orléans. In 1606, he became a legal advisor. By 1610, he was a president in the courts. In 1614, he took over his father's role as the chief legal officer. He also took part in a meeting of important people in Rouen in 1617.
Molé often spoke out against special courts. These courts were set up to try people accused of political crimes. He believed everyone deserved a fair trial in regular courts. Because he kept pushing for this, especially in the case of two brothers, Louis and Michel de Marillac, he was temporarily stopped from his duties in 1631. He had to go to Fontainebleau to explain himself.
Molé and Powerful Leaders
Molé generally had a good relationship with Cardinal Richelieu. Richelieu was a very powerful chief minister in France. However, Molé became interested in the ideas of Port Royal. This was a religious group that Richelieu did not like. This caused some disagreements between them. After Richelieu died, Molé was able to help his friend, the abbé de St Cyran, get out of prison.
In 1641, Molé became the first president of the parlement. The parlement was a powerful high court in France. It was like a supreme court. He agreed not to let all the court chambers meet unless the king specifically allowed it.
The Parlement's Growing Power
After Cardinal Richelieu's death, the parlement started to demand more power. The judges, who inherited their positions, began to act like a national assembly. In 1648, the parlement and other high courts met together. They suggested 27 new rules for the king to approve. These rules were almost like a new constitution for France.
Role in the Fronde
During the long struggle between Anne of Austria, the queen regent, and the parlement, Molé tried to find a middle ground. He wanted to protect the parlement's rights but also keep peace.
The Day of the Barricades
On 26 August 1648, there was a big protest in Paris. It was called the "Day of the Barricades." People built barricades in the streets. This happened because a popular judge, Pierre Broussel, and others were arrested. Molé bravely went to see Cardinal Mazarin, the new chief minister, and the queen. He demanded that the arrested people be set free.
The next day, the parlement marched to repeat Molé's demand. On their way back, the crowd stopped them. Molé was threatened with death if he didn't bring back Broussel or Mazarin. Many judges ran away. But Molé, being very brave, led the remaining judges back to the royal palace. There, Queen Anne of Austria finally agreed to release the prisoners.
Negotiating Peace
Molé's efforts to calm things down did not stop the first Fronde. The Fronde was a series of civil wars in France. But he helped negotiate the peace of Rueil in 1651. This peace treaty ended the first part of the Fronde. He also prevented fights between different groups within the Palais de Justice. These groups supported either Prince de Condé or Cardinal de Retz.
Later Life and Legacy
Molé refused any special honors or rewards for himself or his family. He later became the keeper of the seals, a high legal position. This meant he had to travel with the royal court. Because of this, he stepped down from his role as president of the parlement.
Mathieu Molé's own writings, called Mémoires, were published later. His life story was also written by Baron AGP de Barante. Other important people of his time, like Omer Talon and Cardinal de Retz, also wrote about him.
