Gilles de Noailles
Encyclopedia
Gilles de Noailles, abbé de l'Isle (1524-1600) was French Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire from 1575 to 1579. He was the brother of his predecessor as ambassador, François de Noailles
, and was succeeded by Jacques de Germigny
. He was sent to the Ottoman Empire by Henry III of France
.
Gilles was one of three brothers who served as French diplomats, three of the nineteen children of Louis de Noailles and Catherine de Pierre-Buffière. Gilles became Bishop
of Dax
, (or d'Acqs
), after the death of his brother François. Gilles' other offices included; Master of Requests, Parliamentary Councillor for Bordeaux, and Ambassador (or French agent) in Poland and in England during the crisis of the Scottish Reformation
.
In October 1556, he was the French agent in London and was recalled to Paris when his brother, newly made the Bishop of Dax was sent as ambassador. He was surprised to find his landlord charging him rent, having expected Mary Tudor
to pay.
that Elizabeth I of England
celebrated All Saints Day, 1 November 1559, at Westminster Abbey
with candles and a crucifix at the altar, which surprised the Protestants of London. He wondered if this signalled her intention to marry a Catholic prince, and thought the Scottish Protestants
would not then find favour with her. In the same week both he and the Spanish Ambassador pretended to be ill to avoid the Lord Mayor's
Banquet in case they were embarrassed by their relative precedence. At the end of November, Noailles also wrote to the Cardinal's brother, Mary of Guise
in Scotland, explaining that her rebel Scottish lords had agreed with Elizabeth that the Earl of Arran
would become King of Scotland as a vassal of England. He added that he thought it unlikely that Elizabeth would marry anyone.
sent Gilles to Scotland in 1561, his letter of credence was countersigned by Catherine de Medici. He was sent to the Parliament of Scotland
to declare the willingness of Mary, Queen of Scots to forgive past offences during the Reformation and show her love, expecting their obedience in return. Mary and the French King wished the Auld Alliance
to continue. Gilles arrived at Edinburgh escorted by Lord Seton
and 120 horsemen on 11 March 1561. He simply delivered his public message and left, according to the English diplomat Thomas Randolph
offending no-one except that he refused to take a drink at his departure. The Scots refused to pay his expenses citing a clause of the Treaty of Edinburgh
that no foreigner should hold office in Scotland.
François de Noailles
François de Noailles, Papal Prothonotary, made Bishop of Dax in 1556, was French ambassador in Venice in the 1560s, and French ambassador of Charles IX to the Ottoman Empire from 1571 to 1575....
, and was succeeded by Jacques de Germigny
Jacques de Germigny
Jacques de Germigny was French Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire from 1579 to 1585. He succeeded to Gilles de Noailles as ambassador. He was sent to the Ottoman Empire by Henry III of France...
. He was sent to the Ottoman Empire by Henry III of France
Henry III of France
Henry III was King of France from 1574 to 1589. As Henry of Valois, he was the first elected monarch of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth with the dual titles of King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1573 to 1575.-Childhood:Henry was born at the Royal Château de Fontainebleau,...
.
Gilles was one of three brothers who served as French diplomats, three of the nineteen children of Louis de Noailles and Catherine de Pierre-Buffière. Gilles became Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of Dax
Dax
Dax may refer to:In French geography:* Arrondissement of Dax, an arrondissement of the Landes département of France* Town of Dax, Landes, FranceIn Star Trek:...
, (or d'Acqs
Ancient Diocese of Dax
The Diocese of Dax or Acqs was a Roman Catholic ecclesistical territory in south-west France, established in the 5th century. It was suppressed after the French Revolution, by the Concordat of 1801. Its territory now belongs to the Diocese of Aire and Diocese of Bayonne.It is not certain that the...
), after the death of his brother François. Gilles' other offices included; Master of Requests, Parliamentary Councillor for Bordeaux, and Ambassador (or French agent) in Poland and in England during the crisis of the Scottish Reformation
Scottish Reformation
The Scottish Reformation was Scotland's formal break with the Papacy in 1560, and the events surrounding this. It was part of the wider European Protestant Reformation; and in Scotland's case culminated ecclesiastically in the re-establishment of the church along Reformed lines, and politically in...
.
In October 1556, he was the French agent in London and was recalled to Paris when his brother, newly made the Bishop of Dax was sent as ambassador. He was surprised to find his landlord charging him rent, having expected Mary Tudor
Mary I of England
Mary I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from July 1553 until her death.She was the only surviving child born of the ill-fated marriage of Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon. Her younger half-brother, Edward VI, succeeded Henry in 1547...
to pay.
November 1559
As the resident diplomat in London during the Scottish reformation, he wrote to the Cardinal of LorraineCharles, Cardinal of Lorraine
Charles de Lorraine , Duke of Chevreuse, was a French Cardinal, a member of the powerful House of Guise. He was known at first as the Cardinal of Guise, and then as the second Cardinal of Lorraine, after the death of his uncle, John, Cardinal of Lorraine . He was the protector of Rabelais and...
that Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
celebrated All Saints Day, 1 November 1559, at Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
with candles and a crucifix at the altar, which surprised the Protestants of London. He wondered if this signalled her intention to marry a Catholic prince, and thought the Scottish Protestants
Lords of the Congregation
The Lords of the Congregation were a group of Protestant Scottish nobles who in the mid-16th century favoured reformation of the church along Protestant principles and a Scottish-English alliance.- Historical events :...
would not then find favour with her. In the same week both he and the Spanish Ambassador pretended to be ill to avoid the Lord Mayor's
Lord Mayor of London
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor of London is the legal title for the Mayor of the City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor of London is to be distinguished from the Mayor of London; the former is an officer only of the City of London, while the Mayor of London is the Mayor of Greater London and...
Banquet in case they were embarrassed by their relative precedence. At the end of November, Noailles also wrote to the Cardinal's brother, Mary of Guise
Mary of Guise
Mary of Guise was a queen consort of Scotland as the second spouse of King James V. She was the mother of Mary, Queen of Scots, and served as regent of Scotland in her daughter's name from 1554 to 1560...
in Scotland, explaining that her rebel Scottish lords had agreed with Elizabeth that the Earl of Arran
James Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Arran
James Hamilton, 3rd Earl of Arran was a Scottish nobleman and soldier who fought against French troops during the Scottish Reformation....
would become King of Scotland as a vassal of England. He added that he thought it unlikely that Elizabeth would marry anyone.
Mission to Scotland
Charles IX of FranceCharles IX of France
Charles IX was King of France, ruling from 1560 until his death. His reign was dominated by the Wars of Religion. He is best known as king at the time of the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre.-Childhood:...
sent Gilles to Scotland in 1561, his letter of credence was countersigned by Catherine de Medici. He was sent to the Parliament of Scotland
Parliament of Scotland
The Parliament of Scotland, officially the Estates of Parliament, was the legislature of the Kingdom of Scotland. The unicameral parliament of Scotland is first found on record during the early 13th century, with the first meeting for which a primary source survives at...
to declare the willingness of Mary, Queen of Scots to forgive past offences during the Reformation and show her love, expecting their obedience in return. Mary and the French King wished the Auld Alliance
Auld Alliance
The Auld Alliance was an alliance between the kingdoms of Scotland and France. It played a significant role in the relations between Scotland, France and England from its beginning in 1295 until the 1560 Treaty of Edinburgh. The alliance was renewed by all the French and Scottish monarchs of that...
to continue. Gilles arrived at Edinburgh escorted by Lord Seton
George Seton, 7th Lord Seton
George Seton V, 7th Lord Seton was a Lord of the Parliament of Scotland, Master of the Household of Mary, Queen of Scots and Provost of Edinburgh. He was the eldest son of George Seton, 6th Lord Seton and Elizabeth Hay, a daughter of John Hay, 3rd Lord Hay of Yester...
and 120 horsemen on 11 March 1561. He simply delivered his public message and left, according to the English diplomat Thomas Randolph
Thomas Randolph (diplomat)
Thomas Randolph was an English ambassador serving Elizabeth I of England. Most of his professional life he spent in Scotland at the courts of Mary, Queen of Scots, and her son James VI. While in Scotland, he was embroiled in marriage projects and several upheavals...
offending no-one except that he refused to take a drink at his departure. The Scots refused to pay his expenses citing a clause of the Treaty of Edinburgh
Treaty of Edinburgh
The Treaty of Edinburgh was a treaty drawn up on 5 July 1560 between the Commissioners of Queen Elizabeth I with the assent of the Scottish Lords of the Congregation, and French representatives in Scotland to formally conclude the Siege of Leith and replace the Auld Alliance with France with a new...
that no foreigner should hold office in Scotland.