Michel d'Esne

D'Esne was born in early January 1540, either in Tournai or in Cambrai, the son of Adam d'Esne, lord of Betencourt, and Bonne de Lalaing.[1] He was educated at Houdain college in Mons and at the age of fifteen became a page at the court of Philip II of Spain. He went on to serve as a soldier for six years in Flanders and Spain. D'Esne then studied theology and poetry, and on 5 January 1589 was ordained to the priesthood. Living in Douai, he spent his time translating devotional and edifying works.[2]

In 1597 Philip II nominated him as bishop of Tournai; papal confirmation followed on 29 November 1597. During his reign as bishop, d'Esne founded or oversaw the establishment of numerous educational and charitable foundations. In 1600, he held a reforming diocesan synod in Tournai, the statutes of which were published.[2] He died on 1 October 1614 and was buried in the choir of Tournai Cathedral.[1]

• Les quinze mystères du rosaire de la sacrée vierge Marie (Antwerp, Plantin Press, 1588)
• Recueil de tout ce qui s'est faict au Consistoire assemblé à Rome par N.S.P. le pape Grégoire XIII où furent receus les embassadeurs des trois rois du Jappon, et presterent publiquement obéissance à Sa Sainteté le xxiij mars l'an 1585 (Douai, Widow of Jacques Boscard, 1593)
• Giovanni Pietro Maffei, Le trois livres de la vie du père Ignace de Loyole qui a fonde la compagnie de Jesus (Douai, Jean Bogard, 1594)[3]
• Lettre du Japon des années 1591 et 1592 (Douai, Jean Bogard, 1595)[4]
• Pedro de Ribadeneira, La vie du père François de Borja (Douai, Balthazar Bellerus, 1596)
• John Brugman, La vie de la très Saincte et vrayment admirable vierge Ludyvine (Douai, Balthazar Bellerus, 1608)