The Criminal Entourage of Charles of Navarre after the Testimonies of 1378
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In 1378, Jaques de Rue and Pierre du Tertre, two retainers of Charles II, King of Navarre, were arrested and executed in Paris according to the laws of King Charles V of France. The former confessed that Charles II of Navarre had tried on several occasions to poison King Charles. Interrogations were led by judges close to the French king. The records, which are kept in the Trésor des Chartes in the French National Archives, reveal that the political trial of 1378 differed in many ways from famous cases of the early 14th century. Jaques de Rue and Pierre du Tertre were given the chance to defend themselves, and it seems that torture was not used against them. Moreover, they were not charged with the use of black magic, demonic invocations, or any other supernatural practice. The testimonies of these two men should be read as primary sources on the criminal activities of a prince of royal blood and his entourage. The sources mention servants, soldiers, even a physician, some remaining close to Charles II in Navarre, others moving about in the fulfilling of the missions assigned to them by the king. Despite their differences, these men were bound by their unfailing loyalty to the king of Navarre, in exchange for which they received rewards as well as total support from their master.
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