1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Poncher, Étienne de

PONCHER, ÉTIENNE DE (1446–1524), French prelate and diplomatist. After studying law he was early provided with a prebend, and became councillor at the parlement of Paris in 1485 and president of the Chambre des Enquêtes in 1498. Elected bishop of Paris in 1503 at the instance of Louis XII., he was entrusted by the king with diplomatic missions in Germany and Italy. After being appointed chancellor of the duchy of Milan, he became keeper of the seals of France in 1512, and retained that post until the accession of Francis I., who employed him. on various diplomatic missions. Poncher became archbishop of Sens in 1 519. His valuable Constitutions synodales was published in 1514.