On This Day In History: Historical Scandal Took Place In France – On July 31, 1451

AncientPages.com - On July 31, 1451, Jacques Cœur was arrested on the order of Charles VII of France.

This historical scandal occurred in medieval France on this day when King Charles VII ordered the arrest of Jacques Coeur – one of the wealthiest people in France and probably in Europe.

Statue of Jacques Cœur in Bourges. Image credit: KoS - CC BY-SA 3.0

Busy with importing products such as carpets, silk, spices, and brocades from Asia to France, Jacques Coeur used his commercial fleet and could compete with the powerful Italian city-states.

Coeur was a merchant from the city of Bourges and the most influential person in France at the time. He was one of the king's closest associates. Charles VII appointed Jacques (though he was not a noble person), the head of the Royal Mint, responsible for the French monetary system; his son was appointed Archbishop of Bourges.

Jacques built a magnificent palace and was a successful businessman, but – he had many enemies.

Falsely accused of having arranged the poisoning of the mistress of Charles VII, Agnès Sorel, and of having been involved in dishonest speculation, Coeur was arrested in 1451 and condemned to remain in prison until a considerable fine was paid. With the help of friends, he finally escaped from prison and took refuge, first in Florence and then, in Rome, in 1455

He was arrested and lost all his property, and his possessions were distributed among his intimates of Charles.

Jacques spent three years in prison before escaping to Rome, where he was appointed captain of a fleet sent to fight against the Ottoman Turks.

Suddenly Jacques became very ill and was taken to the Greek island of Chios, where he died on November 25, 1456.

Aware of the committed injustice, the French king wanted to provide compensation for Jacques's sons and gave them what was left of their father's wealth.

AncientPages.com