BRISSON, brA's5N', B.NoxAnt (Lat. Brisso nius) (1531-91). A French jurist and diplomat, born at Fontenay-le-Comte of a distinguished family. Brisson chose the legal career, and rap idly advanced in his profession. In 1575 he be came Advocate, later Councilor of State, and in 1583 President it Mortier. In this year he was dispatched on a diplomatic mission to Eng land to arrange a marriage between Elizabeth and the Duke of Anjou; and thereafter lie was fre quently sent as envoy to foreign countries. In 1588, when King Henry III. was obliged to flee from Paris, Brisson remained behind, apparently in the hope of reconciling the King and the people. After the King's death in August, 1589, Brisson resisted the intrigues of the Spanish ambassador and the claims of the Papal envoy, and had the Duke of Mayenne proclaimed lieutenant-general of the kingdom. He unfortunately fell under suspicion of favoring henry IV., and, at the
orders of the Council of Sixteen, was arrested and hanged, November 15, 1591. Brisson was a man of remarkable judgment and learning, and was held in such esteem by "Henry 111. that that monarch declared no king had in his 'ser vice so learned a man as he. His literary works were numerous; the most important are the fol lowing: De Verbo•um Qum Ad Jus Pertinent Significatione, etc. (1557) ; Obserrationum Di ritri Et Huniani Juris Liter (1564); De Forme lis Et Solemnibus Populi Romani Verbis, etc. (1583), a work of great value not yet supersed ed, last edited by Conrad (1781) ; Code de Henri III. (1587) ; Nola' in 7'itunt Linitnm (1588) ; Opera Minute, chiefly on Roman law and institutions (1606), etc. Consult Le Bas, Dictionnaire encyclopedique de la Prance, Vol. III. (Paris, 1835-63).