Large huntsman of France

Under the Old Mode, the large huntsman of France is a large officer of the House of the king in charge of royal Huntings.

The load is created in 1413 by the king Charles VI, at the same time as those of large falconer and of Capitaine of vautrait. The large huntsman is then responsible for a pack of one hundred dogs approximately, for the stag. Under Charles VIII, his service includes/understands nine riders, nine huntsmen, two assistances, six servants of sleuthhounds and a guard of the dogs with fox. Its importance grows under François I {{er}} then Henri II, the apogee of the service being reached under Henri IV. In 1596, it includes/understands 182 people in all: lieutenants, second lieutenants, gentlemen, servants of sleuthhounds, servants of dogs with horse or ordinary servants of dog, without forgetting a surgeon and an apothecary.

The load of large huntsman is most important of those relating to the drives out . At the 16th century, the House of Own way account five holders of the load; Rohan-Montbazon succeed to them the 17th century with three holders. At the beginning of the next century, the load is allotted by Louis XIV to the count de Toulouse, one of its bastard legitimated, which then transmit it to his/her son, the duke of Penthièvre. December 12th, 1669, the load of large huntsman is allotted to Charles-Maximilien-Antoine de Belleforière, marquis de Soyecourt, 50 years old.

As from the 16th century, the pledges related to the load rise with 1.200 books per annum, going up rather modest within the House of the king. He is however necessary to add to it “salaries” of 10.000 books, as well as gratifciations. The value of the load fluctuates according to the rules of supply and; we do not have unquestionable amounts for the transactions. According to Saint-Simon, the duke of Rochefoucauld sells his load 500.000 books in 1714.

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