Pacifique de Provins (1588 in Provins – 1648) was a French Capuchin Father of the 17th century. He established a French mission in Isfahan in 1627 with the agreement of Cardinal de Richelieu and Pėre Joseph, and the benevolence of Shah Abbas I of Persia.[1] Pacifique de Provins relied on the help of an Armenian named Khajah Muchaq to obtain an agreement from the Shah.[2] Results were minimum however in increasing relations and trade, and English and Dutch influence remained paramount.[3] Progress was also hampered by the long-standing Franco-Ottoman alliance, the Ottoman Empire being a regular enemy of Persia.[3]

A new mission was sent in 1665 under de Lalin (or Lalain), Mariage and La Boullaye le Gouz.[3] A treaty was signed after many deceptions and tribulations but Lalin died at Bandar Abbas in 1667.

Works edit

  • Pacifique de Provins, Relation du Voyage de Perse (Paris: Nicolas et lean de la Coste, 1631)

Notes edit

  1. ^ McCabe, p.141
  2. ^ The politics of trade in Safavid Iran: silk for silver, 1600-1730 Rudolph P. Matthee p.87 [1]
  3. ^ a b c The Cambridge history of Iran William Bayne Fisher, Peter Jackson, Laurence Lockhart p.465 [2]

References edit

  • McAbe, Ina Baghdiantz 2008 Orientalism in early Modern France Berg ISBN 978-1-84520-374-0