Blois, France

Mid-1511

The unfortunate death of Charles d'Amboise in Italy while escorting the Monza Cardinals to Rome was mourned throughout France, and in Blois in particular. Among his many other titles, d'Amboise was, until the last, l'Amiral de France. Concurrently he had been Grand Maître de France, the head of the Maison de Roi, and one of three Maréchaux de France. This important position being left vacant on the eve of a potential war was not acceptable, and a closer eye would be paid to the court.

The highest councils of the Crown of France had become denuded, with many of the office holders passing on without replacement. For this the King was largely responsible, though the past decade had been largely busy with the business of the successive wars in Italy. Regardless, Louis resolved to fill the Great Offices again.

Great Offices presently filled:

Chancelier de France

Sitting at the head of the French judiciary was the Chancelier de France, who at the present time is an old loyalist of Louis XII, Jean de Ganay. Still an experienced jurist who had for years coordinated the Parlement de Paris and the Parlement de Bretagne, de Ganay was a most valuable courtier.

Grand Chambellan de France

The Grand Chambellan held the keys to the royal apartments, symbolically controlling access to the King and his officers. The Grand Chambellan, beyond holding those keys, carried the King's banner and served below the King when he sat in on extraordinary sessions of the Parlement de Paris. At present, the Grand Chambellan was François d'Orléans-Longueville.

Maréchal de France

At present, two men hold the honor and distinction of the office of Maréchal de France: Gian Giancomo Trivulzio and Louis d'Armagnac. Both men were accomplished soldiers who had fought in victorious campaigns.

Great Offices vacant:

Connétable de France

An office that had been vacant since Jean de Bourbon had passed while holding it in 1488, in the last decade of the rule of Charles VIII, the Connétable de France was the leader of the French armies in the absence of the King, and traditionally the leader of the Maréchaux de France. For his part, Louis remained hesitant of supplanting his own authority over the armies of France.

Grand Maître de France

Vacated in the past year through the unfortunate passing of Charles d'Amboise in Italy, the Grand Maître was among the most important political roles in the court. The Grand Maître is charged with policing the royal court, directed the royal household, and managed the King's lands. As such, it could not remain vacant.

Amiral de France

The Amiral de France, until this year Charles d'Amboise, was charged with the defense of the French coast and organizing, arming, and supplying a navy in a time of war. This office also issued letters of marque at the behest of the King. In peacetime, the Amiral de France was responsible for maritime commerce and shepherding the merchant fleets of France.

Filling the Vacancies

The easiest appointment would be the Amiral de France, for whom a living officeholder remained: Louis Mallet de Graville. Graville had resigned the office in favor of Charles d'Amboise, who had been his son-in-law, and was an accomplished sailor and veteran. Graville and the King first encountered each other at the disastrous Battle of Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier, though it would not be for more than a decade before Graville assumed his role as a close and loyal advisor to Louis XII.

Subsequently, the thornier seat to fill: Grand Maître de France. This office held great power, and Louis could only countenance appointing a man he trusted utterly. There were several candidates, though only one received the appointment: Jacques de la Palice, a longtime ally and one of Louis' closest friends among the nobility. de la Palice had most recently been wounded in the fighting in Italy during the last Italian War, but had made a full recovery and had been enjoying the year of peace since.

Setting the Household in Order

As Jacques de la Palice arrived in Blois, took his oaths to the King, and set to work the household would be reformed, somewhat. He returned to Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire the belongings of Charles d'Amboise and began filling out the staff of the royal household.

First he confirmed the position of René de Cossé as Grand Panetier, who in conjunction with the Grand Échanson-- presently Louis de Beuil-- oversaw the supply of food and drink to the court.

Charles de Rohan-Gié would remain as the Grand Bouteiller de France, who oversaw the royal vineyards.

Louis de Rouville, a recent appointee, would retain his title as Grand Veneur de France, though his opposite number-- the Grand Fauconnier-- would need to be appointed. For this role, de la Palice recommended Gabriel de la Châtre, at present Captain of the 3e Compagnie de la Garde du Corps du Roi, but the son of a line of falconers who could serve well in the role. Louis assented, bestowing the honor upon de la Châtre.

Jean de la Boissière would remain in his role as Grand Louvetier de France, or the King's chief wolf-killer. This position was, now, largely symbolic-- the

Final, but not least of the Great Offices of the Maison du Roi, was the Grand Écuyer de France, who managed the royal stables and was responsible for many matters relating to the training of pages and squires for the high nobility. Of note, the Grand Écuyer carries the King's sword in ceremonies. An obvious choice for this role was Pierre Terrail, Seigneur de Bayard-- however, le Bon Chevalier politely declined the position, recommending in his stead his cousin Soffrey Alleman, Seigneur d'Uriage. Louis quite liked the Seigneur d'Uriage, as well, and enthusiastically approved his appointment.

In short order Blois was back in order, the various vacant positions filled and the administration of the Kingdom set to rights. The timing could not have been much better-- the Grands-Tournois had come to an end and the situation in Italy was devolving ever faster, with many whispering of the danger of a third Italian War in a decade.