Mysterious Death of Chevalier de Bourdon: on History of Political Struggle in France in the First Quarter of the 15th Century

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of the features of policy of king Charles VI of France in the last years of his reign. Based on a comparative analysis of a wide range of sources, the author reconstructs the events of the spring of 1417, which resulted in the arrest by order of the king of the Grand master of the Palace of Queen Isabella Chevalier Louis de Bourdon. It is reported that after a short investigation conducted by the provost of Paris, he was secretly executed; soon Isabella was removed from power and sent to Blois. The author of the article made an attempt to find out the reasons that caused such changes in the policy of king Charles VI. To answer the question, it was necessary to trace the fate of the participants in the events in Vincennes, in particular Chevalier Pierre de Giac. It was established that he died under similar circumstances and that he was charged with practicing dark magic. As a result of the study it was concluded that a possible reason for the removal of the Queen from Paris could be a suspicion of practicing black magic. A question is raised about the relationship between domestic and foreign policy of France during this period, since the expulsion of the Queen led her to an Alliance with the Duke of Burgundy.