Aquitanian royal official
Raoul de Faye (c. 1100–1190) was the seneschal of Poitou during the time of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine.[1] He was the uncle of Eleanor of Aquitaine and was her most trusted adviser during the years she lived in Poitiers, beginning in 1168.[2]
Earlier in his life, he was in the favor of Henry II, frequently serving as a witness to royal charters. He was twice involved in negotiating the marriages of Henry and Eleanor's children, the child Eleanor in 1170 and the future King John in 1173.[3]
Raoul, sometimes also known as Ralph, featured in an anecdote related by Gerald of Wales in his Gemma ecclesiastica.[4] During a hunting expedition with Henry at Woodstock, he defied the injunction against hunting on Holy Days. He fell from his horse into a bush and was blinded in one eye.[2] This tale featured in many lectures and sermons of the era as the clergy disputed the King's hunting excesses.[citation needed]
Over time Raoul's relationship with Henry soured, and he later became heavily involved in the rebellions of Henry's sons against Henry.[citation needed]
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