(2/4) Do you know the face of Jean Cottereau, the great lord of Maintenon during the Renaissance?
21 May 2026
A key lead in this investigation points to one of the most prestigious circles of that era: the Order of Saint Michael.
Jean Cottereau himself was a knight of this order, founded by Louis XI in 1469, a distinction reserved for the kingdom’s most prominent lords. At the Château de Maintenon, a bas-relief still commemorates this prestigious affiliation today: Jean Cottereau’s coat of arms is clearly visible there.
The Knights of Saint Michael often had their portraits painted, wearing the famous necklace adorned with shells and the medallion of Saint Michael slaying the dragon.
These are valuable clues for reconstructing the portrait of the lord of Maintenon.