1441
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Contents: political eventshuman rights, social justice exploration, colonization commerce art |
Pierre de Brézé replaces the Count of Maine as first minister to France's Charles VII, who makes him senescal of Pitou and a member of the royal council along with the merchant Jacques Coeur, 46. Agnès Sorel has introduced Coeur to the French court; married in his youth to the daughter of the mayor of Bourges, he has gained the protection of Yolande of Anjou.
Venice makes peace with Bologna in a treaty that increases Venetian territory. The city-state will soon annex Ravenna.
Ferrara's Niccolo d'Este III dies at age 58 after a long reign that has brought peace and security to the city-state. His sons Leonello, now 34; Borso, now 28; and Ercole, now 10, will gain renown as patrons of humanist scholarship and the arts.
African slaves are sold in the markets of Lisbon and a trade begins that will see more than 20 million Africans transported in the next 460 years to Europe and—more especially—to the New World (see
The Portuguese caravel that returns from Africa with gold dust and slaves vindicates the exploration efforts of Prince Henrique (Henry the Navigator), who has come under growing criticism for wasting money on fruitless ventures. He may have learned from the Moors at Ceuta that the gold mines existed and has sought to find them as a means of strengthening his country's economy and making his explorations self-supporting. The Portuguese trade with the Wolof empire that has controlled much of western Africa since early in the 13th century (see politics, 1556).
Jacques Coeur ingratiates himself with the crown and will soon become guardian of France's mines, keeper of the king's purse, and superintendent of finances, in which capacity he will collect taxes and revenues. He has trading companies all over France and a Mediterranean fleet of seven galleys, in which he undertakes numerous voyages, bringing back sugar from Cyprus, cloves from Alexandria, perfumed cinnamon, Persian carpets, and Egyptian velvets and satins, giving him an income said to be greater than that of all other French merchants combined. Agnès Sorel will advertise his wares, helping him to become the richest man in France, and he will advance funds to reorganize the kingdom and build a proper army and fleet (see 1442).
Charles VII bestows upon Pierre de Brézé the châteaux and seigneuries of Nogent-le-Roi, Anet, Brievel, and Monchauvet. A courtier protests that the "Seneschal spoils all, destroys all. He holds the king in subjection by the help of this Agnès, who is above the queen."
King's College of our Lady and St. Nicholas is founded at the University of Cambridge by England's Henry VI for 70 poor scholars drawn from the Eton School he founded last year near Windsor.
Jan van Eyck dies at Bruges, where he has developed the new art of secular portrait painting.
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