Charles Louis François de Paule de Barentin

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Charles Louis François de Paule de Barentin was a French lawyer and statesman who served as Keeper of the Seals of France at the end of Louis XVI’s reign. He was born in Paris on July 1, 1738, and died there on May 30, 1819. Coming from a noble family, he held several high legal posts: Advocate General of the Parlement of Paris from 1757 to 1775, and president of the Cour des Aides from 1775 to 1788. He became Keeper of the Seals on September 14, 1788, and stayed in that role until July 15, 1789.

Four days before he left the post, the king, acting on the advice of his privy council, dismissed Jacques Necker, the popular Director-General of Finances. The public anger helped spark the storming of the Bastille three days later, and Louis had to recall Necker. The king blamed Barentin and fired him. In November 1789, a revolutionary court accused Barentin of plotting to order troops to fire on the Bastille crowd, but he was acquitted. He then emigrated to Italy and England, where he remained until the monarchy was restored. He was later made honorary chancellor by Louis XVIII.