Gaillard I de Durfort

Gaillard I de Durfort (; fl. 1309–1356), known as the Archdeacon (l'Archidiacre), was a French priest and nobleman of the Durfort family. He inherited the Lacour–Durfort lands in 1345 and abandoned his clerical career to marry Marguerite de Caumont. At first he took the English side in the Hundred Years' War. As a commander, he played a major role in the campaigns of 1345–46 in the Duchy of Gascony. In 1352 he changed sides, but in 1356 he returned to the English side. Early life and clerical career Born towards 1299, Gaillard was a son of Arnaud (fl. 1306–21), lord of Clermont and Lacour, and Marquèse de Got. His brothers were Aimeric (fl. 1336–45), the eldest, lord of Duras; Bertrand (fl. 1322–60), lord of Gageac; and Raymond-Bernard (fl. 1345–66), lord of Fenouillet. Gaillard was one of the most successful clerics of his age in accumulating benefices. Through the nepotism of his mother's uncle, Pope Clement V (1305–14), he received three priories and three canonries with their prebends, as well as the archdeaconries of Orléans and Tours, all before he was either of canonical age or had received holy orders. Clement supplied him with the necessary dispensations, as well as a dispensation from the obligation of residing in his benefices.