An Unheard of Thing

This chapter focuses on the objectives and logistics behind the massacre of nine noblemen at Saint-Leu-d’Esserent on 28 May 1358, the first incident in what became the Jacquerie. This attack was carefully planned and enacted by a geographically diverse group who came together for that purpose. It was not a spontaneous uprising in that village by its normal population. Strategic interests linked to the military and political predicament of Paris clearly motivated the attack: the nobles killed included the nephew of one of the murdered marshals, and his entourage was probably headed for Creil, a fortress allowing the Dauphin to block the Oise River. This attack may have been carried out on the villagers’ own initiative, rather than at Marcel’s order. Close relations between town and countryside meant that there were many opportunities for cooperation, and villagers were certainly aware of the situation in Paris. But whether anyone envisaged the confrontation at Saint-Leu as the opening salvo in a massive, inter-regional uprising is unclear, especially as rural revolts were still uncommon. Rather, the events in Saint-Leu-d’Esserent and environs may have been conceived as a limited operation to accomplish a particular aim, which took on a different character afterward.