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

MessageToEagle.com – On July 31, 1451, Jacques Cœur was arrested by 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 richest and most powerful people in France and probably in Europe.

Busy with importing products such as carpets, silk, spices, 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 a very important 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.

After the sudden death of the king’s mistress Agnès Sorel, who died at the age of 28, Jacques Coeur was accused of her.

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

Jacques spent three years in prison before he managed to escape 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 25 November 1456.

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

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