Pierre de Marbeuf, sieur de Saburs et d'Imare, was born about 1596, probably near Pont-de-l'Arche, in Normandy, where his father was for a time maître des eaux et des forêts. In 1625 his parents resided at Rouen. He seems to have lived for short periods in various parts of France. He left Rouen early for fear of the plague which at that time devastated the city, and established himself in Anjou. Thence he went to Orléans (1619), but must have paid frequent visits to Paris, since at that date he confesses he is in love with a Parisian girl. For her he seems to have given up his studies: "Le désir de luy plaire me fit perdre mes premières estudes," he says. Later he is found in Lorraine and in Savoie. Notwithstanding his travels, he spent a good deal of time at Rouen, for he was crowned at the Palinod in 1617, 1618, and 1620, and he participated in this annual poetic competition in at least two other years. In his last years he retired to his native place to become maître des eaux et forêts.
