a close fidèle of Catherine de' Medici. Laurent married his cousin Jeanne de Maugiron, and the two had seven children of whom Louis was the oldest, born in 1560. Laurent's sister, also named Jeanne married Jean d'Arces, and together they would have Guy d'Arces, baron de Livarot who would also become a favourite of Henri III. Reign of Henri III Alençon Maugiron first met the king and his brother in November 1574 while the court was passing through Vienne. Introduced to the court by Alençon, in 1576 Maugiron received an appointment as Alençon's chamberlain of affairs. Only sixteen years old his appointment to this most prestigious role in Alençon's household is a testament to the favour he enjoyed. This role granted him an income of 800 livres. Though young he was not without family allies at court, including the comte de Suze who was governor of Provence in 1578. Captain Roussillon was responsible for ensuring Maugiron's family back in Dauphiné were kept appraised of developments concerning the young man. Targeted by the king as a useful client, he was detached from service to the prince, and became a favourite of the new king. That same year he received the office of gentilhomme de la chambre du roi. Combining his incomes from the king and his brother, he now received 1200 'livres in total. Sixth civil war During the sixth civil war, he fought under the command of Alençon, who was leading the royal army, at the capture of La Charité-sur-Loire and Issoire, during the latter of which he lost an eye in May. Maugiron had been participating in an assault on the town when an arrow pierced his eye. After this incident he was nicknamed 'le brave borgne'. Soon after the cities capture the campaign would stall out for lack of funds, and peace was agreed. Favourite against favourite At this time the king's sister Marguerite de Valois alleges that Henri's favourites constituted an informal parallel royal council, separate to the formal conseil des affaires, in which Maugiron was consulted on matters of state among others. In her memoires she compares this alleged council to that of Jeroboam, who was supposedly counselled by unworthy men. Her memoires are treated cautiously by modern historians, and Le Roux argues only a few of Henri's favourites began to exercise influence on administrative affairs. The relations between the king and his brother were toxic