Background
Olivier le Daim was born of humble parentage at Thielt near Courtrai in Flanders.
Olivier le Daim was born of humble parentage at Thielt near Courtrai in Flanders.
Seeking his fortune at Paris, le Daim became court barber and valet to Louis XI, and so ingratiated himself with the king that in 1474 he was ennobled under the title Le Daim and in 1477 made comte de Meulant. In the latter year he was sent to Burgundy to influence the young heiress of Charles the Bold, but he was ridiculed and compelled to leave Ghent. He thereupon seized and held Tournai for the French. He remained in favour until the death of Louis XI, when the rebellious lords were able to avenge the slights and insults they had suffered "atthe hands of the royal barber. He was arrested on charges, the nature of which is uncertain, tried before the parlement of Paris, and on the 216t of May 1484 hanged at Montfaucon without the knowledge of Charles VIII, who might have heeded his father's request and spared the favourite. Le Daim's property was given to the duke of Orleans.
Le Daim had considerable talent for intrigue, and, according to his enemies, could always be depended upon to execute the baser designs of the king.
