Introduction This is a study of the famous Jarnac/Chataigneraie duel (which it was) that was fought between two courtiers whose names were not quite Jarnac and Chataigneraie . Chataigneraie had supposedly originated a scurrilous story about Jarnac (which he had not). It was reputed to be the last knightly duel of honor fought in France (which it was not). It is also supposed to have been the last knightly duel of honor fought in the lists (which it was not). The fight was supposed to have killed Jarnac (which it did not). Instead, Chataigneraie was killed in the fight (which he was not) thus casting a spell of doom over the reign of Henri II and the reign was unsuccessful (which it was not). Guy De Chabot He bore the title of Seigneur de Monlieu and did not obtain the title of “Jarnac” until after the death of his father, but the histories refer to him as such. He was married to Anne De Pisselieu's sister  which definitely made him part of Francis's court. He was about 35 years old, tall, with a slender figure. Some claimed that he was an overdressed fop. However, he had some experience in war and had been trained as a soldier and knight. His family had limited means. He was also a relative of the poet Saint Gelais who was a manufacturer of savage epigrams against Dianne who he referred to as, “The old Woman.”  Another account says he and Chataigneraie were good friends and he was also a good swordsman. Chataigneraie Francois de Vivonne was the younger brother of the lord of Chataigneraie but he was commonly known by his brother's title. From the age of 10 he had been a page in the court of Francis I. He was one of the last of a group of young men who were attached to the Dauphin's court after he returned from captivity and a close friend. His father had trained him from an early age  to be a knight, an excellent athlete, a champion wrestler and swordsman. He had studied swordsmanship and wrestling in Rome under the master Paternostier and in Milan under Tappe.  At the time of the fight he was about 26 years old and while a nice guy, he was inclined to be a bit of a bully and boaster. He had been wounded in the arm during the battle of Cerisoles but it was healing nicely. There is disagreement by the authors over which arm and the degree of severity. He had been in several duels and developed a very aggressive fighting style. He would rush his opponent and grapple him around the waist so the victim could not use his sword, then throw him to the ground and stab him to death with a dagger through the joints in the armor. Kings, Queens and Mistresses A word needs to be said about the marital relations of Royalty in this period. Marriages of heirs to the kingdom were as solemn as treaties between countries and these marriages were arranged, usually when both were children. How the two principles got on didn't matter. Sometimes a real affectionate partnership grew up. Sometimes it didn't. But the King, having a great deal of personal power needed someone to whom he could let his hair down. Since women had little power, the position of Royal Mistress was quite a good career move. The type of mistress would depend on the taste, temperament and whim of the King. Therefore a prudent Mistress would try to grab up as much wealth as possible for her retirement. Francis Francis was the old king whose reign was coming to an end. Over time he had developed a state of affairs and a court that suited him. He was fascinated with the Italian Renaissance and had tried to annex northern Italy into the French Kingdom.  Francis was enjoying life and didn't see why he should accommodate the Dauphin and his lot who were impatient for him (Francis) to die. Henri Henri was the Dauphin and had his own court and followers. He was quite an athlete and spent a lot of time at tennis, hunting and jousting.  He was of a morose disposition, probably from his long confinement as a boy in a Spanish prison as a hostage for his father after Pavia . He was not much interested in the details of government and left most of it to his friends. In an indiscrete moment he talked about who of his friends were to get what jobs and honors when the old King died. The Court Jester overheard this conversation and thought it would give the King and his court a good chuckle. He misjudged. The King was furious. He grabbed his Guards, invaded the Dauphin's apartment and proceeded to tear it up, smashing the furniture and throwing it and Henri's pages out the window. Fortunately, the Prince was not there. The King might have thrown him out the window as well. Dianne De Poytiers She was a very beautiful, talented and busy lady. One story has it that she started out being King Francis's mistress; however, when Henri came to the court he was smitten with her. Well, Francis was old and pretty worn out by this time and Henri was young, virulent and the future. So Dianne eased out of the old relationship and took up with Henri. Even though she was older than Henri, at a time when women lost their beauty at an early age , she kept Henri in thrall for the rest of his life. There is disagreement among historians whether she was a good councilor or a villianess. Anne De Pisselieu Anne De Pisselieu, Duchesse d'Etampes, was Francis's replacement mistress after he returned from imprisonment in Spain. She was young (16 years) and just the sort of pretty, giddy young thing the old goat wanted. However, she was very jealous of Dianne and a feud erupted that split the court. Ann De Montmorency De Montmorency the boyhood companion of Francis, Constable of France and a part of the Chatilion party.  King Francis made him Constable. However, after he made some blunders, he fell out of favor and was even exiled from court (for a while) so he became part of Henri's party. He was a cautious man, able to retain his position in the court through the reign of Henri II. Henri used him as a counterweight to the De Guises. He would have the final say on the conduct of the duel. The De Guise Brothers These highly ambitious brothers were another part of Henri's court and had a major stake in the ouster of the old court officials.