Etienne+Marcel

Etienne Marcel was born in c.1316, and died July 31, 1358. Marcel was born into a wealthy Parisian family. He was a leader and a clothier who played a big role in the Paris revolution. He was given the title of Provost of the merchants in 1354, which essentially means that he was the mayor. Three years after having gotten that title, Marcel bought a mansion that he called the Maison aux Pillars. This mansion was located next to the port that merchants used to unload their goods. This became the administration center for him and the council of Paris. Even after Marcel was assassinated, the building continued to be used for that purpose.

Marcel was known as the one of the most famous provosts. He led a movement that tried to establish a controlled French monarchy. In 1358, Marcel led an invasion of in which he murdered the marshals of Champagne and Normandy. This act undermined Marcels support from the aristocracy. Many people felt Marcel took his ideas too far and he was assassinated.

Marcel was a champion in the defense of the small merchants and craftsmen who were the majority of the population in Paris at that time. There is a large equestrian statue of Marcel located outside of the Hotel de Ville City Hall in Paris.