Historical Figures

Michel de LHospital (1505 – 1573)

Having trained as a lawyer, Michel de L'Hospital was a great humanist of his time. Alongside the Queen Mother Catherine de Medici, he ensured the Regency of the kingdom during the minority of Charles IX, as Chancellor. Being himself a concealed Protestant, he advocated a policy of tolerance towards the Huguenots (Edict of Fontainebleau, Peace of Longjumeau). This attempt at appeasement fails in the face of the discontent of the Catholics, and in particular of the Guise. After having refused the seal on a papal bull which wanted the hardening of the sanctions against the Protestants, he is stripped of his post of chancellor (who is the keeper of the seals). Michel de L'Hospital remains a great figure of the Renaissance, he protects Ronsard and his Pléiade, and publishes his own writings. A symbol of tolerance, his statue stands in front of the Palais Bourbon (National Assembly) with those of Colbert, Sully and Aguesseau.