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Appendix-Appendix: Paris |
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| Le Vert-Galant |
| Pappy was fascinated by Henri IV, the Vert-Galant. His (Henri’s, not, alas, Pappy’s) statue stands in the elegant little Square du Vert-Galant at the westernmost tip of the Île de la Cité. On the spot where Philip IV burned Templar Jacques de Molay at the stake in 1314. |
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They nicknamed him (Henri, not de Molay) “Gallant” in recognition of the many mistresses he frequented, even at an advanced age (he lived to 57). Can’t say I’m clear on where the Vert (“green”) part came from. Surely not the patina on the statue.
When his cousin and predecessor on the French throne, Henri III, was assassinated without a closer heir, this Henri (then reigning as Henri III de Navarre) succeeded him, founding the Bourbon dynasty in France. He benefited, I gather, from several preceding assassinations by Henri III and his party, including that at Blois of their dashing cousin, duc Henri de Guise. In 1610, le Vert-Galant was finally assassinated in his turn, by a Catholic fanatic. Dangerous time to be a big shot. |
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