Louis Malet de Graville

Louis Malet de Graville (Around 1440 – 30 October 1516) was a French military officer, Admiral of France, politician and art patron. He came from an old family from Normandy; one of his ancestors was William Malet, a companion of William the Conqueror who took part in the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Louis Malet de Gravile's father was a counsellor and chamberlain to King Charles VII and Louis XI. Louis' youngest daughter, Anne de Graville (c. 1490–1540), was a writer, courtier, intellectual and book collector in her own right.

In 1463 Louis de Malet's father was taken prisoner by English troops. Louis Male de Graville therefore took over some of his father's appointments and began a successful career at the centre of French politics. He would eventually serve four French kings: Louis XI, Charles VIII, Louis XII and Francis I.

Louis XI took him under his wing, and the two developed a close relationship. Louis Malet de Graville rose through the ranks and was given sensitive assignments by the king. He undertook diplomatic missions and participated in military operations. After the death of the king, he continued to serve during the regency of Anne of France and her husband Peter II, Duke of Bourbon. He developed a close relationship with Anne, became a central member of the royal council and second in power only to the regents themselves. His steadfast support to the regents during the unrest known as the "Mad War" and the ensuing French–Breton War, organising the military campaign together with Louis II de la Trémoille, secured their benevolence. In 1483 he was given the office of Admiral of France, a prestigious and lucrative position. Louis Malet de Graville was furthermore made governor of Normandy; captain of the ports of Saint-Malo, Dieppe and Honfleur; and knight of the Order of Saint Michael.

During a period from 1491, he was partially side-lined at court, and in 1494 retired for a period to his main estate at Marcoussis. However, his experience and political weight made him to a certain degree indispensable to the crown, and he soon regained many of the positions he had briefly lost. He died on 30 October 1516 at his castle in Marcoussis.

Besides his political and military career, Louis Malet de Graville organised modernisation and reconstruction efforts at his holdings, in an attempt to stimulate the economy following the devastation of the Hundred Years' War. He had churches repaired and mills, dovecotes, fish ponds and market halls constructed. Louis Malet de Graville was also active as an art patron, and not least book collector. He commissioned several illuminated manuscripts, often sumptuously decorated and of large format, especially on historical subjects and chivalric romance.