Historical Figures

Etienne Marcel(1315 - 1358)

Provost of the merchants of Paris and French politician, Étienne Marcel played a considerable role in the Estates General of 1355 and 1357 Faced with the opposition of the Dauphin (future Charles V) he organized on February 22, 1358 the first revolutionary day in Paris. With his supporters, he invaded the palace and compelled the Dauphin to renew the ordinance of 1357 which provided for the control of subsidies by the States General, an adviser deputy to the Dauphin. Having become master of Paris, he endeavored to win over the province to his cause, but the Dauphin, having been able to flee, blocked Paris. Étienne Marcel is compromised by his alliance with Charles II the Bad; while trying to get the latter into Paris in the middle of the night, he was surprised by Alderman Jean Maillard, a supporter of the Dauphin, who executed him.