Étienne Marcel

Étienne Marcel was a clothier and provost of the merchants of Paris, who played a major part in the Paris revolution of 1355–58 and was for a time able to coerce the government into considering reforms.

Marcel came of a family of cloth merchants, whose wealth was founded by his grandfather Pierre Marcel. Étienne took over the family business after the death of his father in 1333, and by 1350, had become provost of the Grande-Confrérie of Notre Dame and, by 1354, provost of all the Parisian merchants.

Marcel first defied King John II of France (r. 1350 – 1364) in November 1355. After King had called the Estates General to collect money for the continuing the Hundred Years’ War (1337–1453), Marcel counteracted the King by proposing that the assembly administer the tax money. After John II was captured at Poitiers in September 1356, Marcel in early 1357 led a hostile assembly that wanted to control the state finances. He also took control of Paris and by the May 1358 he acted in concert with the Jacquerie, who were revolting against the nobles. The revolt was put down in June, and Étienne Marcel was assassinated on 31 July 1358.