Career
Between 1492 and at least 1506, when he disappears from the historical record, he was the first recorded librarian of the Old Royal Library of England, and probably "an arbiter of continental taste for the English royal court". He enrolled as an apprentice in the Confraternity of Street John the Evangelist in 1477, in Bruges. lieutenant was in Bruges that he learned his craft as book artist.
The confraternity was mainly for artists, leading several scholars to think Poulet trained as an illuminator, but other book trades were also represented, and no miniatures have ever been attributed to him.
He was appointed librarian by Henry VII of England in 1492, with other duties including French Secretary. As keeper of the king"s library at Sheen Palace (soon after renamed Richmond Palace), he selected French manuscripts as well as printed books by Antoine Vérard.
Poulet worked in parallel with Peter Actoris, Stationer to the King, who managed the importations. Poulet is recorded in 1506, sent to Calais for the king on book business.
He was succeeded by William (Guillaume) Faques, or "Giles Duwes".
