François de Villiers, seigneur de Chailly (ca. 1527-1582), was a faithful servant of the House of Guise throughout his life. He became steward to the Duke of Guise in 1572 and participated, as is well-known, in Maurevert’s attempted assassination of the Protestant leader Coligny on 22 August 1572. He welcomed Maurevert to Paris and, after the attack, gave him shelter in his château at Chailly, in the Brie. While serving the Duke of Guise, Villiers was also maître d’hôtel to the king and remained in that post after the Saint-Bartholomew’s Day Massacre. He later inherited the office of Wolfcatcher-Royal from his uncle, Jean de La Boissière, who was also in Guise service. His career after the Massacre demonstrates that there was no royal disfavour to him afterwards, and it also provides an indication of the intentions of Catherine de Médici and her son Henri d’Anjou (the future Henri III).

François de Pilla, sieur de Villemur, is known for having been the occupant of the house used by Maurevert in his attempt on Coligny’s life, two days before the Massacre. He opportunely left the house beforehand, ordering his servants to obey Chailly and his companion Maurevert. Pilla was an intimate servant to the Guises, the first tutor to the young Duke of Guise, and also enjoyed the confidence of Anne d’Este, widow to François, the first Duke of Guise. Pilla, a simple commoner, eventually reaped great rewards, first in the Guise household, and then in the service of Henri III. He was appointed chaplain to Louise de Lorraine, and then to her husband, Henri III. His career was not compromised by his participation in Maurevert’s crime, and the benevolence of Henri III towards him is an indication of the future king’s attitude at the time of the events of the Massacre.