Comte Mathieu de la Marche is the count of La Marche, a county in central France. He is spymaster to King Philippe le Bel of France and one of his closest advisers, having mentored the young king since his ascension to the throne in 1285. Mathieu projects a fearsome and distant personality and does not have many friends beyond the close circle of his household, but this hides a deeper sadness at the emptiness of his personal life.
The Comte de la Marche is married to Jaqueline, and has had two children with her. The youngest, Luc, is the heir to the county of La Marche. Mathieu is a member of the Maison du Roi, the French king's household.