Louis de Perreau, Sieur de Castillon

French ambassador

The story so far…

Week 43: Nonsuch

‘He is one of those good fellows who parade their honesty, always showing you the palms of his hands.’ He tells Henry that ‘it might be difficult to find any lady to marry you’ because ‘you will kill your wives.’ He accuses Cromwell of being a better servant to the emperor than to his own king.

At dinner, he tells Cromwell that ‘the leg will not heal, you know. Next time he will not be so luck, nor will you.’ When with the king he makes a lewd joke. The king guffaws but turns away. ‘I cannot abide bawdy talk.’

But a day later he is with Norfolk and the French ambassadors. According to Rafe and Richard Cromwell, the Howards are linking arms with the Frenchmen and saying the king is displeased with Cromwell because he favours the Emperor.

Week 44: Corpus Christi (Part 1/2)

France and the Empire are allies, so their ambassadors confer in England. ‘We are issued more news of the infant Edourard,’ Castillon says. ‘We are told he has four teeth. We are terrified, Cremuel.’

Week 46: Ascension Day (Part 1/2)

Castillon is begging his masters to call him home. ‘He is afraid that, if hostilities break out, Henry and Cromwell will kill him. He refers to ‘the king and his milord’ – as if there is only one milord in England.