Grand Huntsman of France
Encyclopedia
The Grand Veneur de France or Grand Huntsman of France was a position in the King's Household
in France
during the Ancien Régime. The word French "veneur" (huntsman
), derives from the Middle French
word "vener" (to hunt), from which also was derived the archaic English words "venerer" (hunter) and "venery" (the hunt). The position is sometimes grouped with the Great Officers of the Crown of France
. The position was one of the "Great Offices of the Maison du Roi". The position was equivalent to the position of "Grand Master of the Hunt" in certain European royal households.
The Grand Veneur was responsible for the royal hunt. The title was created in 1413 by Charles VI
at roughly the same time as the those of Grand Falconer of France
and the "Capitaine du vautrait". The Grand Veneur took care of the king's hunting dog
s (roughly 100 hounds) for the stag
hunt. Under Charles VIII
, he oversaw nine squires ("écuyer"), nine huntsmen ("veneur"), two aides, six valets for the hounds ("valet de limiers") and one dog handler for the foxhounds. The service gained even greater prestige under Francis I
and Henry II
, and the position reached a high point under Henry IV
; in 1596, 182 people were employed by the royal hunt, including lieutenants, sous-lieutenants, gentlemen, valets for the hounds, mounted and unmounted valets for the dogs, and finally a surgeon and an apothecary
.
The Grand Veneur was the most important of all the royal offices dealing with the hunt. In the 16th century, the house of Guise
held the position five times. In the 17th century, the family Rohan-Montbazon held it three times. At the beginning of the 18th century, the position was given by Louis XIV
to Louis-Alexandre de Bourbon, Comte de Toulouse
, one of his naturalized children, who in turn, passed it on to his son Louis Jean Marie de Bourbon, duc de Penthièvre
.
From the 16th century, the holder of the position received an annual salary of 1200 livres
, which was a relatively small sum within the royal household. The Grand Veneur also received additional revenues (up to 10,000 livres). According to Saint-Simon
, the Duke de La Rochefoucauld sold his office for a sum of 500,000 livres in 1714.
Maison du Roi
The Maison du Roi was the name of the military, domestic and religious entourage around the royal family in France during the Ancien Régime and Bourbon Restoration; the exact composition and duties of its various divisions changed constantly over the Early Modern period...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
during the Ancien Régime. The word French "veneur" (huntsman
Huntsman
Huntsman may refer to:*Hunters who:**use guns/weapons for hunting**hunt with horses and dogs *Huntsman is also used as a military designation for units traditionally raised from huntsmen, see Huntsmen...
), derives from the Middle French
Middle French
Middle French is a historical division of the French language that covers the period from 1340 to 1611. It is a period of transition during which:...
word "vener" (to hunt), from which also was derived the archaic English words "venerer" (hunter) and "venery" (the hunt). The position is sometimes grouped with the Great Officers of the Crown of France
Great Officers of the Crown of France
The Great Officers of the Crown of France, known as the Grand Dignitaries of the Empire during the French Empire, were the most important officers of state of the royal court in France during the Ancien Régime and Bourbon Restoration. They were appointed by the French monarch, with all but the...
. The position was one of the "Great Offices of the Maison du Roi". The position was equivalent to the position of "Grand Master of the Hunt" in certain European royal households.
The Grand Veneur was responsible for the royal hunt. The title was created in 1413 by Charles VI
Charles VI of France
Charles VI , called the Beloved and the Mad , was the King of France from 1380 to 1422, as a member of the House of Valois. His bouts with madness, which seem to have begun in 1392, led to quarrels among the French royal family, which were exploited by the neighbouring powers of England and Burgundy...
at roughly the same time as the those of Grand Falconer of France
Grand Falconer of France
The Grand Falconer of France was a position in the King's Household in France from the Middle Ages to the French Revolution. The position first appeared in 1250 as "Master Falconer of the King" ; the title was changed to Grand Falconer in 1406, although the title "First Falconer" was sometimes...
and the "Capitaine du vautrait". The Grand Veneur took care of the king's hunting dog
Hunting dog
A hunting dog refers to any dog who assists humans in hunting. There are several types of hunting dogs developed for various tasks. The major categories of hunting dogs include hounds, terriers, dachshunds, cur type dogs, and gun dogs...
s (roughly 100 hounds) for the stag
STAG
STAG: A Test of Love is a reality TV show hosted by Tommy Habeeb. Each episode profiles an engaged couple a week or two before their wedding. The cameras then follow the groom on his bachelor party...
hunt. Under Charles VIII
Charles VIII of France
Charles VIII, called the Affable, , was King of France from 1483 to his death in 1498. Charles was a member of the House of Valois...
, he oversaw nine squires ("écuyer"), nine huntsmen ("veneur"), two aides, six valets for the hounds ("valet de limiers") and one dog handler for the foxhounds. The service gained even greater prestige under Francis I
Francis I of France
Francis I was King of France from 1515 until his death. During his reign, huge cultural changes took place in France and he has been called France's original Renaissance monarch...
and Henry II
Henry II of France
Henry II was King of France from 31 March 1547 until his death in 1559.-Early years:Henry was born in the royal Château de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, near Paris, the son of Francis I and Claude, Duchess of Brittany .His father was captured at the Battle of Pavia in 1525 by his sworn enemy,...
, and the position reached a high point under Henry IV
Henry IV of France
Henry IV , Henri-Quatre, was King of France from 1589 to 1610 and King of Navarre from 1572 to 1610. He was the first monarch of the Bourbon branch of the Capetian dynasty in France....
; in 1596, 182 people were employed by the royal hunt, including lieutenants, sous-lieutenants, gentlemen, valets for the hounds, mounted and unmounted valets for the dogs, and finally a surgeon and an apothecary
Apothecary
Apothecary is a historical name for a medical professional who formulates and dispenses materia medica to physicians, surgeons and patients — a role now served by a pharmacist and some caregivers....
.
The Grand Veneur was the most important of all the royal offices dealing with the hunt. In the 16th century, the house of Guise
Guise
Guise is a commune in the Aisne department in Picardy in northern France.-Population:-Sights:The ruins of the medieval castle of Guise, seat of the Dukes of Guise, are located in the commune.-Miscellaneous:...
held the position five times. In the 17th century, the family Rohan-Montbazon held it three times. At the beginning of the 18th century, the position was given by Louis XIV
Louis XIV of France
Louis XIV , known as Louis the Great or the Sun King , was a Bourbon monarch who ruled as King of France and Navarre. His reign, from 1643 to his death in 1715, began at the age of four and lasted seventy-two years, three months, and eighteen days...
to Louis-Alexandre de Bourbon, Comte de Toulouse
Louis-Alexandre de Bourbon, Comte de Toulouse
Louis Alexandre de Bourbon, comte de Toulouse , duc de Penthièvre , d'Arc, de Châteauvillain and de Rambouillet , , was the son of Louis XIV and of his mistress Madame de Montespan...
, one of his naturalized children, who in turn, passed it on to his son Louis Jean Marie de Bourbon, duc de Penthièvre
Louis Jean Marie de Bourbon, duc de Penthièvre
Louis Jean Marie de Bourbon was the son of Louis Alexandre de Bourbon and his wife Marie Victoire de Noailles. He was also a grandson of Louis XIV of France and his mistress, Madame de Montespan. From birth he was known as the Duke of Penthièvre...
.
From the 16th century, the holder of the position received an annual salary of 1200 livres
Livre tournois
The livre tournois |pound]]) was:#one of numerous currencies used in France in the Middle Ages; and#a unit of account used in France in the Middle Ages and the early modern period.-Circulating currency:...
, which was a relatively small sum within the royal household. The Grand Veneur also received additional revenues (up to 10,000 livres). According to Saint-Simon
Louis de Rouvroy, duc de Saint-Simon
Louis de Rouvroy commonly known as Saint-Simon was a French soldier, diplomatist and writer of memoirs, was born in Paris...
, the Duke de La Rochefoucauld sold his office for a sum of 500,000 livres in 1714.