Simon Fizes, baron de Sauves (1535? - 27 November 1579) was a Secretary of State under

Charles IX of France Charles IX (Charles Maximilien; 27 June 1550 – 30 May 1574) was List of French monarchs, King of France from 1560 until his death in 1574. He ascended the French throne upon the death of his brother Francis II of France, Francis II in 1560, an ...

, and

Henry III of France Henry III (; ; ; 19 September 1551 – 2 August 1589) was King of France from 1574 until his assassination in 1589, as well as King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1573 to 1575. As the fourth son of King Henry II of France, he ...

Life

Originally from the region of

Pézenas Pézenas (; Languedocien: ''Pesenàs'') is a commune in the Hérault department in the Occitanie region in southern France. Name The name "Pézenas" is derived from the older name ''Piscenae'', probably from the Latin word ''piscenis'', meanin ...

, he was the son of peasants taught by the church clerk, Jean de Rocoles; he became secretary to the Keeper, Jean Bertrand. In 1553, he became a Secretary of State. In 1559, he became Principal Private Secretary to Queen Catherine de Medici. In 1562-1563, he accompanied the Charles, Cardinal of Lorraine at the

Council of Trent The Council of Trent (), held between 1545 and 1563 in Trent (or Trento), now in northern Italy, was the 19th ecumenical council of the Catholic Church. Prompted by the Protestant Reformation at the time, it has been described as the "most ...

. In 1563, he bought the land and the title of Baron de Sauve, from the bishop of

Montpellier Montpellier (; ) is a city in southern France near the Mediterranean Sea. One of the largest urban centres in the region of Occitania (administrative region), Occitania, Montpellier is the prefecture of the Departments of France, department of ...

. From 2 October 1567 to November 1579, he was Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Denmark, Sweden and Poland, where he succeeded Florimond II Robertet, seigneur de Fresnes. In 1569, he married Charlotte de Sauve, Viscountess of Tours (c. 1551 – 1617), daughter of Jacques de Beaune, Chevalier of the order of the king, gentleman of the bedchamber and chamberlain to the Duke of Anjou. On 2 January 1573, he was appointed governor of

. In 1573, Charles IX gave him all his designs on St. Bartholomew's Day massacre, charging only that he keep all the news secret for that infamous day. In August 1574, he was an envoy by

to negotiate about Piedmont, and restore contact between the new king, and queen mother. He was buried in the Church of the Celestines in

Paris Paris () is the Capital city, capital and List of communes in France with over 20,000 inhabitants, largest city of France. With an estimated population of 2,048,472 residents in January 2025 in an area of more than , Paris is the List of ci ...

, in a small chapel on the right side of the great altar.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sauves, Simon Fizes, baron de 1530s births 1579 deaths Foreign ministers of France 16th-century French diplomats