| Summary: | <p><span>In the early sixteenth century, the de Foix family were both kin and intimate councillors to the Valois kings, Louis XII and François I. With a powerbase in Guyenne, the de Foix tried to use their connections at court to profit from the French conquest of Milan, 1499-1522. This paper will explore the career of one prominent family member, Odet de Foix, vicomte de Lautrec (1483-1528). Lautrec was a Marshal of France, who served in Italy as a soldier and governor. He was key to the royal entourage, amongst François I’s intimates at the Field of the Cloth of Gold. His sister, Françoise, was also the king’s mistress.</span></p><p> </p><p>The paper will examine Lautrec’s entourage from two aspects. Firstly, it asks how Lautrec established his entourage from his experience in Navarre and Italy and as a member of the royal retinue. It establishes the importance of familial and regional ties, but also demonstrates the important role played by men of talent.</p><p> </p><p>Secondly, it explores Lautrec's relationship to his entourage once governor of Milan. Were ties of blood, career or positions of Italian prestige the most important for a governor when he chose his intimates? Were compromises made with Italian traditions and elites to sustain his rule? Did he learn from the experience and failures of previous governors?</p><p> </p><p>The article contributes to a gap in scholarship for the later period of French Milan from 1515-1522. It also adds to our knowledge of the behaviour and ambitions of early modern governors.</p>
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