The Moneyman Author:Thomas B. Costain "Thomas B. Costain's vivid & dramatic story is set in 15th century France--the France of King Charles VII, of Agnes Sorel, the king's mistress, & of Jacques Coeur, the king's moneyman. Born a commoner in 1395, Jacques Couer was a man of astonishing ability & vision. As history's first great merchant prince, he built up trade between France and... more » the Levant until his wealth was the greatest that had ever been amassed by a private citizen. But Coeur wanted more than mere wealth. He wanted to raise the social level of all classes, to replace war between nations with world trade. In 1436 Charles VII summoned Coeur to his court. There his successes continued. In close liaison with the wise & beautiful Agnes Sorel, Coeur directed the war against the English, even advancing large sums from his personal fortune to help drive the Normandy. When the health of the king's mistress began to fail, it was Coeur who chose the 16 year old Valerie to succeed her, not realizing that the choice would weave the first strands in a fatal net of love & intrigue. The nobility of Charles's court, many of whom were in debt to Coeur, could not forgive the great, humanistic patriot for the popularity which became his as the war progressed. They resented equally his successes & his ideals. Powerful figures in the French court joined in a conspiracy against him. This is the man around whom the author has built his colorful & moving story of a great love & a great conspiracy."« less