Hervey, Mary F. S.; Holbein, Hans [Ill.]: Holbein's "Ambassadors": the picture and the men : an historical study (London: George Bell & sons, 1900)

GEORGE DE SELVE

CHAPTER I

The Early Years of George de Selve, and his First
Diplomatic Employment
HE career of the Bishop of Lavaur, the ambassador de robe
longue, forms an interesting contrast to that of the homme
d'bpbe, or de robe courte, whose acquaintance has been made
in Dinteville. In many respects each completes the other.
Together they form a typical picture of the diplomacy of the day, in
which churchmen and laymen played an almost equal part.
The political missions of George de Selve, taken alone, would give,
however, a very inadequate idea of the man. In the case of the Bailly
of Troyes the secular note is naturally dominant. With the Bishop
of Lavaur outward events seem dwarfed by the depth and fervour of
the inner life. His spiritual vocation was all in all to him. The ser-
vices he rendered to diplomacy rather hinder than assist a just estimate
of his character and attainments. They constitute, indeed, the chief
outward landmarks of his existence. But in so far as they emphasize
the mundane rather than the religious aspect of his life they disturb its
true proportions.
George de Selve, Bishop of Lavaur, was the third son of Jean de
Selve, Premier President of the Parliament of Paris, and of Cecille de
Buxi. He was born in the winter or early spring of 1508-9, probably
about January or February.1
1 The authentic sources for the date of Selve’s birth are given Part I., p. 13. None
143