Sorel, Agnès, c.1422-1450, mistress (1444-50) of Charles VII of France. She was the first mistress of a French king to be officially recognized as such. Witty and astute as well as beautiful, she wielded considerable influence over the king and his policies. After her death, the enemies of Jacques Cɶur, the financier, spread the rumor that he had had Agnès Sorel killed by poisoning.