Jacques Cur's life

14 18, Jacques Cur's name was first known to outsiders. This year, at the age of 23, he married Mace, the daughter of Lambert, the rector of Bourges. Lambert also has an identity: a former servant of John, Duke of Berry. John, Duke of Berry, is an enlightened protector of handicrafts.

In the 65438+5th century, in Bourges, the capital of Berry province in central France, the Cole family was a famous merchant family. Jacques's father, Pierre Cole, is a fur dealer in Bourges. At that time, slaughter was the most profitable industry in France. For example, according to a lawsuit at the end of 14, the profit of a meat stall can reach at least 100- 140 dollars a week. 600 years ago, the purchasing power of this money was extraordinary.

With the prosperity of slaughter industry, fur business also rose, and Pierre accumulated a considerable amount of wealth. The power of wealth made him marry Lambert, the rector of Bourges. Lambert's relationship with John, Duke of Berry, promoted Pierre's business. Many years later, Jacques Cur followed his father's example and made profits by clinging to power, and went further than his father. Of course, this is another story. Jacques Cur grew up in his father's fur shop and received an imperfect education. Thomas Bazin said he was almost illiterate, but he went on to say that he was smart and had an agile business mind. Growing up, I became more agile in business and more eager for money. In order to get rich, he did not hesitate to take extreme measures. 1427, Jacques Cur, together with Lavo Ledanova and Pierre Gueudar, two people who were expelled from Normandy by the British (at that time, some parts of France were occupied by the British), set up a counterfeit coin factory to make metal coins with insufficient value to earn the difference.

Two years later, Jacques' behavior was discovered by the government, but French King Charles VII pardoned them and only fined them. After this difficult time, Jacques changed his way of getting rich. He started the royal business with Pierre Godard and his brother Barthelemi Godard. The romantic and luxurious life of the medieval French court provided Jacques with unlimited business opportunities. Fine porcelain from China, spices from West Asia, Persian tapestries, Indian peacocks and other commodities flowed into the palace through the hand of Jacques Cur. Although Charles VII didn't always pay the bill, it didn't matter that Jacques Cur benefited from it: through these businesses, he entered the sight of King Charles VII. And rely on the franchise granted by the king to obtain extremely considerable extra profits.

1432 in may, Jacques Cur and businessmen from Venice, Genoa, Florence and Catalonia went to the middle east to buy spices. He was on a ship sailing from Nalbang to Alexandria, hoping to reunite with his peers in Beirut. However, on the way back, the ship was wrecked off the coast of Corsica, and the local people robbed Jacques Cur of everything. When he returned to France, he had nothing but courage and ambition.

After this trip to the Middle East, Jacques Cur quickly regrouped and formed a fleet of seven merchant ships, four of which were big ships-Saint Michel, Saint Owen, Saint Jacques and Madeleine. These ships regularly travel between east and west, bringing back the goods of the Levant-furs and carpets; Arabic spices and China porcelain. They also engaged in the slave trade, transporting passengers between ports along the Mediterranean coast. Through this commercial trade, Jacques Cur gained great influence in the East. Although he didn't seem to have been to the east before 1432, he had hundreds of agents in the east. He concluded treaties with Sultan Abu-Said of Egypt and the Order of St. John of Cyprus, from which he gained huge commercial benefits. He kept some property confiscated by Venetian merchants in Egypt, and was taken care of by Venice and China. In about 1445, his nephew Jean Devilla was sent to Cairo to sign a business agreement with the Egyptian Sultan as the special envoy of Charles VII. The agreement guarantees the freedom and protection of French businessmen in all Mamluk countries. It is stipulated that the French consul in Alexandria will decide commercial affairs. French merchant ships began to gradually replace ships in Venice and Genoa. Jacques Cur also traded with the Turks who threatened Constantinople at that time. Although the Christian church banned trade with pagans, he obtained this right from Pope Eugene IV and reconfirmed this privilege through Pope Nicholas III in Rome on 1468. It seems that he promoted the business of selling weapons to Turks.

His business activities are not limited to the east, but also buy goods all over France. He must be a person with high organizational ability, extraordinary initiative, imagination and meticulous handling of problems. He set up warehouses in almost every province in France, and concentrated local products nearby. Bourges provided him with woolen cloth and goldsmith's handicrafts; Limoges provides woolen goods; Lyon supplies silk and imported goods from Germany. He has a company in Rouen, which keeps him in touch with England and Flanders. 1444 after the armistice between Britain and France, he put French products on the British market. It is said that he has a branch in Bruges.

His business headquarters is in Montpellier. Here, we keep close contact with the eastern countries. In Montpellier, he has a large warehouse, including an exhibition room, a spacious basement and so on. He set up a meeting place for members of businessmen in the trading market, which later became the residence of Montpellier city government. Jacques Cur moved his business headquarters to Marseille in the last years of his life. He has a strong organization here, which is located near the port of Marseille. Among all kinds of taxes in the city, he has to pay 1 1000 florin every year, which shows how huge his wealth is!

Jacques Cur has set up warehouses in almost every French province to collect and store local specialties. Bourges provided him with woolen cloth and goldsmith's handicrafts; Limoges provides woolen goods; Lyon provides silk ... In order to direct this huge business, Jacques Cur has at least 300 employees. Every company has an agent in charge, the most famous of which is Guillome Desvages, a native of Bourges. He manages the king's silverware and is responsible for buying goods for the court. Later, he became the money controller of languedoc. In addition to these agents, there are also "owners" of merchant ships. The leader of these people is Jacques Devilla fever. He married Jacques Cur's niece and had a glorious experience. He helped Jean Calabria to make an expedition to Naples and became the manager of Herzog von Lothringen. Under the ship owner, there are also a group of employees, such as the Levant's purchasing agent. The whole class seems to be loyal to Jacques Cur. It seems that he has a great talent for selecting talents and inspires them with his enthusiasm. In order to ensure that there are enough sailors on board, he often abducts thieves on the dock and vagrants, "rogues, hotel owners and other wicked people" near the port.

But Jacques Cur not only focused on business, he also engaged in various speculative activities. In Montpellier, he became a big manufacturer, set up a printing and dyeing factory, and tried to print and dye woolen fabrics with bright red dyes, which made him famous in eastern countries. In Bourges, he set up a paper mill, and his paper with orange trademark is famous all over the world. In Florence, he founded a silk weaving factory, which was led by two Florentines, namely the Bonato brothers. Two secret agents, Guillerme Devag and Pierre Joubert, inspect it regularly. He collected the king's salt tax in Bourges, Tours and Roche in central France.

That's not all. Jacques Cur also mined three silver, lead and copper mines in beaujolais, Lyon and Shexi. He bought these mines. In addition to paying the king a profit of110 every year, he has to add 200 livres. 1455 65438+1October 17 These mines were confiscated by the government and operated in the name of the king for one year. On April 1455 and 19, the production director Jean Vito made extremely favorable regulations on the management of these mines.

The person in charge of mine affairs is both a supervisor and a tax collector, named Pierre Gagnaire; The chief accountant and administrator is Nicolas Tarot, who is Pierre Gagnaire's assistant. Pierre Gagniere is a mine owner and worker. He must personally inspect the mine to ensure the safety of the timber supports in the mine. The workers live in a collective life, and accommodation is provided by the Mining Bureau. In order to prevent the mine fee from increasing when the cost of living suddenly rises, the mine owner must pre-store wheat that can be supplied for one or two years. Carpenters, blacksmiths and metalworkers are better than ordinary workers in accommodation and food conditions. Workers must swear that they will "be loyal to their duties, work hard ... and play by the rules". They are strictly trained and forbidden to swear in the name of God and the Virgin Mary. It is forbidden to wear sharp weapons such as swords and daggers except knives for cutting bread and meat. It is forbidden to hurt others; Don't duel or pee in the mine. Workers and other employees must go to bed on time and eat three meals a day on time. Article 53 of the "Regulations" stipulates that persons employed in mines shall not get married and start a family. Mine managers are responsible for hearing all violations of rules and regulations, and have the right to impose fines or imprisonment on violators. Every mining group has police, and through the decision of the mine owner, they can appeal to Inspector Jean Macoun and Deacon Lyon. The complete revenue and expenditure accounts of these mines from 1455 to 1456 are kept. At that time, these mines were directly operated by the Royal Government. These records include some very meaningful details. Obviously, the miners are well paid and live comfortably. Their beds are equipped with blankets and pillows, and there is plenty of food. But in other respects, these mines mined by the state are unfavorable. Mining costs are too high and profits are too small. The Royal Government had to rent them out and collect the "rent" and110 metal products. These mines were returned to Jacques Cur's son on 1457.

In addition to trade, Jacques Cur will also focus on manufacturing. In Montpellier, he founded a printing and dyeing factory and tried to print and dye wool fabrics with bright red dyes. It is said that these woolen goods are very popular in eastern countries. In his hometown of Bourges, he also opened a paper mill to produce a kind of paper with orange trademark, which was once "very expensive in France". He even opened the factory to Apennine Peninsula. In Florence, he invested in a silk factory, which was run by two local businessmen.

Jacques Cur's family is rich, and the prosperity of his career is well known. A contemporary put it this way: "He gets more wealth every year than all the other businessmen in this kingdom combined." It is estimated that his property is around 6,543.8+0,000 gold crowns. In today's money, its real value will exceed $2 million. As for his actual value, that is, the purchasing power of the money at that time, it is difficult to calculate. You know, at that time 1 Jin 'eju could buy 50 bags of flour.

In his prosperous days, he was famous for his luxurious clothes, but he was on par with dignitaries. Wherever he is, he always uses silver tableware. He has mansions in the most important cities in France. Such as Lyon, Montpellier and Bourges. In Bourges, the magnificent house he built is not only a miracle of architecture, but also a historical monument of the country. Jacques Cur's motto "Where there is a will, there is a way" can be seen everywhere. Jacques Cur is not only a businessman, but also a salt tax inspector, collecting the king's salt tax in Bourges, Tours and Roche. 1438, Jacques Cur was appointed French finance minister by Charles VII. At that time, the Hundred Years' War between Britain and France had been going on 10 1 year. Encouraged and led by Joan of Arc, France has begun to turn from losing to attacking, but the progress of the war needs a lot of money as the backing. This time, Jacques Cur became the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and his main task was to raise money for Charles VII.

In order to complete the task given by the king, Jacques Cur borrowed money from businessmen in Mediterranean cities with the land that the French royal family was about to recover from the British as collateral. With this blank check, Jacques Cur actually borrowed money. /kloc-in 0/450, he gave the French king 60,000 gold coins at one time as the cost of besieging Cherbourg. Of course, this is due to his good reputation cultivated in long-term operation.

These loans enabled Charles VII to win the Hundred Years' War and recover its lost land. When future generations mention the highlights of France in the Hundred Years' War, they will think of Joan of Arc. In fact, Jacques Cur was also a key figure in winning the Hundred Years' War. If Joan of Arc is the soul of France, then Jacques Cur is the body of France. Only the body will rot, but the soul is immortal!

Before becoming Chancellor of the Exchequer, Charles VII often called Jacques Cur "my friend". Raising war funds made Charles VII appreciate Jacques Cur more, which in turn promoted his business development and brought him great wealth. Someone commented: "He gets more wealth every year than all other businessmen in the kingdom combined." It is estimated that Jacques' annual income is about 6,543.8+0,000 gold crowns. This is an amazing amount. You know, at that time, 1 gold krone could buy 50 bags of flour.

However, if you think that Jacques's wealth is only accumulated by selling fur, cloth, spices and other commodities, it is all wet. Jacques's means of making money is simple and ingenious, that is, making money through the difference between gold and silver in the East and the West. At that time, precious metals were scarce in Europe, and transporting goods to the East for real gold and silver meant high profits.

Rich Jacques Cur is a spendthrift. Wherever he is, he always uses silver tableware. In Lyon, Montpellier and Bourges, he has magnificent mansions, such as Bourges' mansion, and spacious bedrooms with bathrooms, which was quite remarkable more than 500 years ago. In France, especially in Berry, he also owns a large manor-more than 40 territories.

Besides wealth, Jacques Cur also represents power. He himself was the finance minister of France, and his brother Nicholas became the bishop of Luzon. His eldest son Jean Cole became a monk and became Archbishop of Bourges in 1446. His second son is a clergyman in St. Sharp's Cathedral in Bourges; His daughter married a judge in Bourges. There are two sons, Raul and Jeff Ritter, who are still doing their father's old job. Jacques Cur is a generous giver. In Bourges, he built the collection room, the sacred collection room of the cathedral, and a small church for family burial; In Paris, he restored the Bon Van Academy. He did not hesitate to give gifts to the court nobles, and there was a long list of debtor's names on the bill. . Agnes Soleil, Charles VII's favorite mistress, was his guest of honor. Soleil often goes to Mentor Salon Castle in Jacques Cur to relax and enjoy wine with him. The court nobles often receive his gifts.

Jacques Cur also built the collection room, the collection room, the sacristy of Bourges Cathedral, and restored the Bon-Van College in Paris. As norman davis said, "the wealthy bankers' families gradually exerted a great political influence in this city, and later influenced the court and the Pope. This influence, sometimes coupled with the sponsorship of literature and art, has made them gain a high reputation. For example, the Italian medici family and Strozzi families, the Fugel families and Welser families of the Holy Roman Empire, and the French Jacques Cur. This is the case. "The wood in the forest is beautiful, and the wind will be destroyed; If you pile up on the shore, the water will surge! Wealth brings infinite glory to Jacques Cur, but it also causes hostility and jealousy of others. His minions accused him of extravagance, claiming that it was an insult to them. The nobles were indignant at the arrogance of the nouveau riche; Businessmen are equally hostile to him. Because he established a huge patent right in France, a large number of businessmen and factory owners went bankrupt. When he moved his business headquarters to Marseille, he caused hatred in Montpellier. Has he been politically condemned? The evidence in this regard is not clear. But in addition to his jealousy and hatred, there is indeed a more severe and well-founded condemnation. His business methods are dishonest. In Rhode Island, he made counterfeit coins of 25,000 to 30,000 gold coins and paid them to Alexander's creditors. In Montpellier's mint, he reduced the purity of silver ingots. Just as the Turks surrounded Constantinople, he was accused of selling weapons to the Turks. In order to please the Sultan of Egypt, he returned a Christian slave who had taken refuge in his ship to the original owner of Alexandria.

Therefore, Jacques Cur was severely criticized. Even King Charles VII (notorious for betraying his friends) opposed him and made all kinds of absurd accusations, accusing him of poisoning the king's female directors Surell. As it turns out, Agnes died in childbirth on February 9, 450. In her will, Jacques Cur was appointed as her executor. 1450 on July 30th, was imprisoned in tower Yeaple castle. He asked the grace of the church's judicial power, but it was in vain. Archbishop Tours and Bishop poitiers defended him in vain. He is still being tried by the special committee. Antoine de shabani is a member of the committee. He was an early bandit leader during the French Hundred Years' War. He is one of Cole's sworn enemies, Montpellier. The king of France personally took an active part in the trial. From the summer of 145 1 to June of 1452, Charles VII was imprisoned in Lusignan, Jacques Cur. When the lawsuit was transferred to Tours, the French King was in plessy, Tours. After the poisoning charge failed, Jacques Cur still suffered other charges. 1453 On May 29th, Constantinople was occupied by Turks. At the meeting, the French king announced that Jacques Cur had committed the crimes of misappropriating the king's tax, counterfeiting money, transporting a large amount of money to Turks and taking gold and silver out of France. However, considering his past contributions, Jacques Cur's death penalty was pardoned due to the intervention of the Pope. However, he was stripped of all his official titles, and was sentenced to bareheaded, holding a torch and repenting. He must redeem the Christian slaves he handed over to Egypt, or replace them with something else; Return the 654.38 million gold coins he extorted from the king's subjects; Pay a fine of 300,000 gold crowns, and you will not be released from prison until the above items are completed. All his property was confiscated and I was sentenced to permanent exile. It took several years to auction off his property. There is no doubt that it is untrue that many properties have been confiscated. Antoine de shabani, one of the judges, never paid the king the property he bought. Many industries are sold at low prices, and the legal fees almost consume the whole amount of the auction. The merchant ship Jacques Cur, which was not in France during the trial, never returned to China, and its cargo was unloaded in the warehouses of foreign branches. However, some ships were later captured and sold to Bernard Devall for 9 100 livres. One of them was a cargo ship named Saint Michel, which was later captured by the Turks.

1454 10, Jacques Cur escaped from the prison in poitiers, hid in several monasteries he donated, and then went to Bouquet, where his nephew Jean Devilla was. Joan protected him and helped him reach Nice, from where he went to Rome by boat. Pope Nicholas V welcomed him, and his successor, Pope Callixtus III, took advantage of Jacques Cur's extraordinary organizational talent. He got the power to command a fleet ready to fight back against the Turks, and died on the island of Keos on June 5, 2005 on the way out of this fleet at 5438+04561/KLOC-0.

On his deathbed, Jacques Cur recommended his children to the king. At this time, Charles VII had returned some of their father's property to them. All the restoration work was also completed by Charles VII. 1454 On April 4th, he returned Jacques Cur's house in Bourges and all his property in Berry to his two sons Raoul and Joffrey. Later, Charles VII returned his residence in Lyon and the mines in that area. After Charles VII's death, Jacques Cur's son, Archbishop Bourges, tried to start a new lawsuit and petitioned the king. This question was submitted to the Supreme Court, but there was no answer in the end.