Jean de Brosse
Encyclopedia
Jean de Brosse Lord of Boussac, Sainte-Sévère, Huriel, and Perugia, was a councillor and chamberlain to Charles VII of France
; he was made a Marshal of France
in 1426.
. Probably through the influence of his family, de Brosse was made chamberlain to the Dauphin, the future Charles VII
. The two soon became close friends.
In 1422 de Brosse’s father died, leaving his son his titles and estates. King Charles VI
also died, and Charles VII took the title of king, though he was not crowned. Jean de Brosse and his wife had a son in the same year. They named him after his father.
On May 16, 1423 Charles VII charged de Brosse with ensuring his safety. Then on the 14th of July, 1426, de Brosse was made a Marshal of France. He fought the English and their allies at the side of Lahire, Dunois, Xaintrailles, and Richemont. He soon began growing short of money, however, due to work on the castle of Boussac and the cost of his army. The French government was unable to compensate de Brosse for his service, being short on money themselves. He resorted to selling off his crockery, silver, and his wife’s jewelry. He also freed the inhabitants of Boussac from his rule, in exchange for money.
In 1428 de Brosse took part in a rebellion, however it was soon squashed and the rebels locked up. However, since the king desperately needed generals, they were granted clemency.
De Brosse was among the French leaders who attempted to repel the English advance, however they failed, and in 1429 the English arrived at Orléans. Joan of Arc
tried to get the king to send her, and with the urging of de Brosse, the king was convinced and sent Joan under the escort of de Brosse and Louis de Culant. The king also sent troops with them who joined the main French army. Under the leadership of Joan of Arc, the French won the Siege of Orleans
. Because of his services, de Brosse was given a place of honor at the coronation of the king.
On May 24, 1430, Joan of Arc was captured. De Brosse tried to convince the king to save her without effect. He ruined himself trying to raise an army. He joined Xaintrailles and Lahire at the head of an army of 4,000. They liberated Compiegne, however Joan of Arc was no longer in the city. She had been moved to Rouen, where she was burned on May 30, 1431. De Brosse tried to avenge her by taking Rouen, however his plan failed, and he returned to Boussac.
Charles VII of France
Charles VII , called the Victorious or the Well-Served , was King of France from 1422 to his death, though he was initially opposed by Henry VI of England, whose Regent, the Duke of Bedford, ruled much of France including the capital, Paris...
; he was made a Marshal of France
Marshal of France
The Marshal of France is a military distinction in contemporary France, not a military rank. It is granted to generals for exceptional achievements...
in 1426.
Early life
Jean de Brosse was born in 1375 in his father’s castle at Huriel to Pierre II de Brosse and Marguerite de Malleval. In 1419, at 44, de Brosse married Jeanne de Naillac.Hundred Years War
De Brosse began fighting for France alongside his cousin, Louis de CulantLouis de Culant
Admiral Louis de Culant was a French nobleman and Admiral of France. He held the titles of Baron of Châteauneuf-sur-Cher, Lord of Culant and Ainay-le-Vieil...
. Probably through the influence of his family, de Brosse was made chamberlain to the Dauphin, the future Charles VII
Charles VII of France
Charles VII , called the Victorious or the Well-Served , was King of France from 1422 to his death, though he was initially opposed by Henry VI of England, whose Regent, the Duke of Bedford, ruled much of France including the capital, Paris...
. The two soon became close friends.
In 1422 de Brosse’s father died, leaving his son his titles and estates. King Charles VI
Charles VI of France
Charles VI , called the Beloved and the Mad , was the King of France from 1380 to 1422, as a member of the House of Valois. His bouts with madness, which seem to have begun in 1392, led to quarrels among the French royal family, which were exploited by the neighbouring powers of England and Burgundy...
also died, and Charles VII took the title of king, though he was not crowned. Jean de Brosse and his wife had a son in the same year. They named him after his father.
On May 16, 1423 Charles VII charged de Brosse with ensuring his safety. Then on the 14th of July, 1426, de Brosse was made a Marshal of France. He fought the English and their allies at the side of Lahire, Dunois, Xaintrailles, and Richemont. He soon began growing short of money, however, due to work on the castle of Boussac and the cost of his army. The French government was unable to compensate de Brosse for his service, being short on money themselves. He resorted to selling off his crockery, silver, and his wife’s jewelry. He also freed the inhabitants of Boussac from his rule, in exchange for money.
In 1428 de Brosse took part in a rebellion, however it was soon squashed and the rebels locked up. However, since the king desperately needed generals, they were granted clemency.
De Brosse was among the French leaders who attempted to repel the English advance, however they failed, and in 1429 the English arrived at Orléans. Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc
Saint Joan of Arc, nicknamed "The Maid of Orléans" , is a national heroine of France and a Roman Catholic saint. A peasant girl born in eastern France who claimed divine guidance, she led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War, which paved the way for the...
tried to get the king to send her, and with the urging of de Brosse, the king was convinced and sent Joan under the escort of de Brosse and Louis de Culant. The king also sent troops with them who joined the main French army. Under the leadership of Joan of Arc, the French won the Siege of Orleans
Siege of Orléans
The Siege of Orléans marked a turning point in the Hundred Years' War between France and England. This was Joan of Arc's first major military victory and the first major French success to follow the crushing defeat at Agincourt in 1415. The outset of this siege marked the pinnacle of English power...
. Because of his services, de Brosse was given a place of honor at the coronation of the king.
On May 24, 1430, Joan of Arc was captured. De Brosse tried to convince the king to save her without effect. He ruined himself trying to raise an army. He joined Xaintrailles and Lahire at the head of an army of 4,000. They liberated Compiegne, however Joan of Arc was no longer in the city. She had been moved to Rouen, where she was burned on May 30, 1431. De Brosse tried to avenge her by taking Rouen, however his plan failed, and he returned to Boussac.
Later life and death
Upon his arrival at Boussac after his defeat, de Brosse learned of his wife’s death. Overwhelmed, he never left Boussac again for the rest of his life. He died in June of 1433. Because of the great debts de Brosse had at the time of his death, his creditors threatened to have him excommunicated postmortem, and the dispersal of his mortal remains. The king however, raised enough money to pay off the debts, and de Brosse’s body was left in the abbey at Prébenoît.See also
- Hundred Years War
- Charles VIICharles VII of FranceCharles VII , called the Victorious or the Well-Served , was King of France from 1422 to his death, though he was initially opposed by Henry VI of England, whose Regent, the Duke of Bedford, ruled much of France including the capital, Paris...
- Joan of ArcJoan of ArcSaint Joan of Arc, nicknamed "The Maid of Orléans" , is a national heroine of France and a Roman Catholic saint. A peasant girl born in eastern France who claimed divine guidance, she led the French army to several important victories during the Hundred Years' War, which paved the way for the...
- Siege of OrléansSiege of OrléansThe Siege of Orléans marked a turning point in the Hundred Years' War between France and England. This was Joan of Arc's first major military victory and the first major French success to follow the crushing defeat at Agincourt in 1415. The outset of this siege marked the pinnacle of English power...
- Saint-Benoît-du-SaultSaint-Benoît-du-SaultSaint-Benoît-du-Sault is a commune in the Indre department in central France.It is a medieval village , perched in a curve on a rocky butte overlooking the Portefeuille River in the former province of Berry....
- House of RochechouartHouse of RochechouartThe House of Limoges-Rochechouart is the most ancient noble family in France after the royal family. This powerful dynasty of the Carolingian era dates back to Foucher, supporter of Charles the Bald, who became viscount of Limoges in 876...
- Château de BrosseChâteau de BrosseThe Château de Brosse is an ancient fortress located near Saint-Benoît-du-Sault and Chaillac in a very centered area of France called Berry.It was built during the 10th century by the de Brosse family...
External links
- Jean de Brosse from "Joan of Arc's Companions in Arms."