James Wisant

Family: Calais · Role: citizen · First appears: Book 1, Chapter 65, part 2/2

In Book 1, Chapter 65, James Wisant, described as “very rich in merchandise and lands,” offered himself at Calais as a companion to his cousins Eustace de St. Pierre and John Daire; his brother Peter Wisant also joined them. With Lord John de Vienne delivering the six citizens to Sir Walter Manny, James and the others surrendered to the king, bringing the keys of Calais and offering themselves to save the remaining inhabitants.

The king ordered the six executed, but after the queen pleaded for mercy, he yielded. She freed them, gave them clothing and money, and had them escorted safely out of the camp.

Relationship record

Life events

• James Wisant offered himself as a companion to the citizens who had volunteered.(Book 1, Chapter 65, part 2/2 · 📍 Calais)
  • “After him, James Wisant, who was very rich in merchandise and lands, offered himself as companion to his two cousins;”
• Lord de Vienne delivered the six citizens to Sir Walter Manny, who promised to try to save them.(Book 1, Chapter 65, part 2/2 · 📍 Calais)
  • With: Lord John de Vienne Eustace de St. Pierre John Daire Peter Wisant Sir Walter Manny
  • “‘I deliver up to you, as governor of Calais, with the consent of the inhabitants, these six citizens; and I swear to you that they were, and are at this day, the most wealthy and respectable inhabitants of Calais. I beg of you, gentle sir, that you would have the goodness to beseech the king that they may not be put to death.’--‘I cannot answer for what the king will do with them,’ replied Sir Walter; ‘but you may depend that I will do all in my power to save them.’”
• The six citizens surrendered themselves to the king to save the remaining inhabitants of Calais.(Book 1, Chapter 65, part 2/2 · 📍 Calais)
  • With: Eustace de St. Pierre John Daire Peter Wisant
  • “Most gallant king, see before you six citizens of Calais, who have been capital merchants, and who bring you the keys of the castle and of the town. We surrender ourselves to your absolute will and pleasure, in order to save the remainder of the inhabitants of Calais, who have suffered much distress and misery.”
• The king ordered the six citizens executed, but yielded after the queen pleaded for mercy.(Book 1, Chapter 65, part 2/2 · 📍 Calais)
  • With: Sir Walter Manny Eustace de St. Pierre John Daire Peter Wisant
  • “The king looked at her for some time in silence, and then said, ‘Ah, lady, I wish that you had been anywhere else than here. You have entreated in such a manner that I cannot refuse you. I therefore give them to you, to do as you please with them.’”
• The queen freed the six citizens, gave them clothing and money, and had them escorted safely out of the camp.(Book 1, Chapter 65, part 2/2 · 📍 Calais)
  • With: Eustace de St. Pierre John Daire Peter Wisant
  • “The queen conducted the six citizens to her apartments, and had the halters taken from round their necks, after which she new-clothed them, and served them with a plentiful dinner. She then presented each with six nobles, and had them escorted out of the camp in safety.”

Book 1, Chapter 65, part 2/2

• with Sir Walter Manny (Sir Walter presents James and the other citizens to the king.) “When Sir Walter Manny had presented these six citizens to the king, they fell upon their knees, and with uplifted hands said, “Most gallant king, see before you six citizens of Calais, who have been capital merchants, and who bring you the keys of the castle and of the town.”
• with Lord John de Vienne (He conducts James and the other volunteers to the gate.) “The Lord John de Vienne then mounted a small hackney, for it was with difficulty that he could walk, and conducted them to the gate.”
• cousins with Eustace de St. Pierre (James’s two cousins are understood to be Eustace and John, named immediately before him.) “After him, James Wisant, who was very rich in merchandise and lands, offered himself as companion to his two cousins; as did Peter Wisant his brother.”
• cousins with John Daire (James’s two cousins are understood to be Eustace and John, named immediately before him.) “After him, James Wisant, who was very rich in merchandise and lands, offered himself as companion to his two cousins; as did Peter Wisant his brother.”
• siblings with Peter Wisant “After him, James Wisant, who was very rich in merchandise and lands, offered himself as companion to his two cousins; as did Peter Wisant his brother.”

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Extracted from the original text of The Boy's Froissart. Made with Rho MD.