Biette Cassinel (French pronunciation: [bjɛt kasinɛl]; c.1320s-1394) was the supposed royal mistress of Charles V of France from 1360 until 1363.[a]

Biette was the daughter of the François Cassinel, sergent d'armes of John II of France, and Alix Deschamps.[2] She was the sister of Ferry Cassinel, bishop of Lodève and Auxerre and eventually archbishop of Rheims.[2]

Biette was married to Gérard de Montagu by 1336.[2] She was the mother of Jean de Montagu, who would rise to become Grand Master of France.[3] It is said by some that Jean was her son by Charles V,[citation needed] while Merlet and Delachenal state there is no evidence for this.[b] Autrand states that a clerk of Parlement skipped two words, concerning Jean's execution, which incorrectly attributed Charles V as Jean's father, instead of his legitimate father Gerard de Montaigu.[5]

Notes

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  1. ^ "Although Biette Cassinel has been attached occasionally to Charles V, no concrete evidence for a relationship exists."[1]
  2. ^ Merlet states that Charles V was 12 or 13 at the time of Jean's birth.[2]
    "..concerning the relations which may have existed between Charles V and the mother of Jean de Montaigu, are not justified by any proof by any reference.."[4]

References

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  1. ^ Adams & Adams 2020, p. 27.
  2. ^ a b c d Merlet 1852, p. 252.
  3. ^ Merlet 1852, p. 248.
  4. ^ Delachenal 1909, p. 111.
  5. ^ Autrand 1994, p. 482.

Sources

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  • Autrand, Françoise (1994). Charles V, le Sage. Fayard.
  • Adams, Tracy; Adams, Christine (2020). The Creation of the French Royal Mistress: From Agnès Sorel to Madame Du Barry. The Pennsylvania State University Press.
  • Delachenal, Roland (1909). Histoire de Charles V. Vol. I. Picard.
  • Merlet, Lucien (1852). "Biographie de Jean de Montagu, grand maître de France (1350-1409)". Bibliothèque de l'École des chartes Année. 13: 248-284. doi:10.3406/bec.1852.445064.