Lord John de Vienne

Also known as: Lord de Vienne / the Lord de Vienne · Family: Burgundy · Role: governor of Calais · First appears: Book 1, Chapter 58

In Chapter 58, as governor of Calais, Lord John de Vienne sent more than seventeen hundred poor inhabitants out of the town when they had no provisions laid in. He was accompanied by Sir Arnold d’Andreghen, Sir John de Surie, Sir Bardo de Bellebourne, Sir Geoffrey de la Motte and Sir Pepin de Were.

In Chapter 65, he renewed his plea for mercy to Sir Walter Manny and Lord Basset, asking them to return to the English king with his request. Though walking was difficult, he mounted a small hackney and led Eustace de St. Pierre, John Daire, James Wisant and Peter Wisant to the gate. There he delivered six citizens to Sir Walter Manny, asking him to plead that they be spared; Sir Walter Manny promised to do what he could to save them.

Relationship record

Life events

• Sir John de Vienne sent more than seventeen hundred poor inhabitants out of Calais.(Book 1, Chapter 58 · 📍 Calais)
  • “When the governor of Calais saw the preparations of the King of England, he collected together all the poor inhabitants, who had not laid in any store of provisions, and, one Wednesday morning, sent upward of seventeen hundred men, women, and children out of the town.”
• The governor renewed his plea for mercy, and the two lords returned to the king with his request.(Book 1, Chapter 65, part 1/2 · 📍 Calais)
  • With: Sir Walter Manny Lord Basset
  • “I therefore once more entreat you, out of compassion, to return to the King of England, and beg of him to have pity on us: he will, I trust, grant you this favor; for I have such an opinion of his gallantry as to hope that, through God’s mercy, he will alter his mind.” The two lords returned to the king, and related what had passed.”
• 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: Eustace de St. Pierre John Daire James Wisant 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.’”