Ambleville (herald)

Ambleville was a servant of the Lord of Ambleville, active during the Hundred Years' War. He later became a herald of the Maid of Orléans, Jeanne d'Arc. His family were allied with the Dauphin Charles VII.

Biography

On 21 April 1429, Ambleville was sent to become a herald of Jeanne d'Arc, alongside Guyenne. Introduced to the Maid by Jean d'Alençon, the duke noted that the boys would be useful to the cause as heralds were diplomatically immune.

Later that month, forced into inactivity by the English while stationed at Orléans, Jeanne sent Ambleville to the English with a message. When he did not return, Jeanne set off to retrieve the boy. At the base of the Renart Gate, Jeanne shouted at the English soldiers there to give back her herald. The men mocked her, saying that they had used the boy for target practice. Ambleville has held within Les Tourelles, one of the largest towers on the southern bank of the Loire. The other herald boy, Guyenne later joined him.

On 7 May, during the Siege of Orléans, led by Jeanne herself, Ambleville and Guyenne were freed from Les Tourelles alongside many other French prisoners. Later, the two heralds joined Jeanne in a feast at the residence of Jacques Boucher, treasurer of Orléans.

Behind the scenes

The boy with the surname Ambleville, was a historical figure and character appearing in the 2016 novel Assassin's Creed: Heresy, written by Christie Golden.

Ambleville most likely belonged to Julien des Essars, lord of Ambleville in Vexin. His birth name is lost to history, as on becoming a herald he renounced his surname and became "Ambleville" after the lord he served.

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Heresy