'Pierre Flote' or 'Pierre Flotte' (
Languedoc, second half of the 13th century –
Kortrijk,
July 11,
1302) was a French legalist,
Chancellor and
Keeper of the Seals of
Philip IV the Fair.
He was taught
Roman law at the
University of Montpellier, and was considered one of the best
lawyers and legalists of his time. He led negotiations with the
Roman Curia,
England and
Germany.
He was an adversary of
Pope Boniface VIII, defending the
authoritarianism of the French king against the
Roman Church, and the first civilian to be appointed as Chancellor, as before, only ecclesiastics were granted this honor.
He died in the
Battle of the Golden Spurs which took place near Kortrijk on
July 11,
1302, when the local Flemish population mounted a successful uprising against France.