A consequence of Charles VII being almost constantly itinerant was that greater resources were allocated to his household. Indeed, the number of employees in the households of high nobles as well as in the King’s own household noticeably increased when the latter was particularly nomadic.

Charles VII’s household included 2,000 people and 1,500 horses. To this must be added his guard which amounted to between 500 and 600 men at arms. Charles VII stayed in the castles of his confidants (Montbazon), in residences in the towns of Tours and Orléans and even in the manors of simple vassals (Razilly). At such times, the rest of his household was billeted out, a costly inconvenience for locals. At this time, the royal court favoured the forest and the countryside. Charles VII took this preference to the extreme, with residences set back from the towns visited.

Iconographie:

Martial d’Auvergne, “Charles VII and Lords”, Vigils of Charles VII, 1484-1485, French 5054, folio 59v. © BnF.