Charles IV of France
Last direct Capetian king, his death sparked succession disputes.
Charles IV, known as the Fair in France and the Bald in Navarre, was born on either 18 or 19 June 1294 and died on 1 February 1328. He was the last king from the direct line of the House of Capet, reigning as King of France and, under the name Charles I, King of Navarre from 1322 until his death. The third son of Philip IV, he shared his father’s epithet of “the fair” or “the handsome.”
In 1323, Charles faced a peasant revolt in Flanders. The following year, he made an unsuccessful attempt to be elected Holy Roman Emperor. As Duke of Guyenne, King Edward II of England was technically Charles’s vassal, but Edward resisted paying homage. In response, Charles invaded the Duchy of Guyenne in 1324, sparking the War of Saint-Sardos. Under a peace settlement, Edward agreed to swear allegiance and pay a fine, and in return Guyenne was returned to him—though with significantly reduced territory.
Charles died without a male heir, ending the senior line of the House of Capet descended from Philip IV. He was succeeded in Navarre by his niece Joan II, and in France by his paternal first cousin Philip of Valois. The resulting dispute over the French throne between the Valois line (descended from Charles’s grandfather Philip III through the male line) and the English monarchs (descended from Charles’s sister Isabella) became a key factor in the Hundred Years’ War.
Through his mother, Joan I of Navarre, Charles claimed the title King of Navarre. From 1314 until his accession, he held the title Count of La Marche, and he was crowned King of France in 1322 at Reims Cathedral. Unlike his father and brother, Charles was seen as a conservative, rigid king—inclined to uphold formalities and stubbornly defend his royal rights, but not inclined to manipulate those rights for personal gain or to pursue broader reforms.
Charles married his first wife, Blanche of Burgundy, daughter of Otto IV, Count of Burgundy, in 1308. She was implicated in the Tour de Nesle scandals of 1314 and imprisoned. After becoming king, Charles refused to release her; their marriage was annulled, and Blanche entered a nunnery. His second wife, Marie of Luxembourg, daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Henry VII, died after a premature birth. In 1325, Charles married his first cousin Jeanne d’Évreux, a union that required papal approval from Pope John XXII. Jeanne was crowned queen in 1326 in one of the best-rec
- born
- 18/19 June 1294
- died
- 1 February 1328
- field
- Monarchy
- nationality
- French
- known_for
- Last direct Capetian king of France; War of Saint-Sardos; founding the library at Fontainebleau
Lore & Background
Charles IV was the third son of Philip IV and ascended the throne in 1322 after his brother Philip V. He was crowned at Reims and was known as a conservative king, 'inclined to forms and stiff-necked in defence of his prerogatives.' He married three times: first to Blanche of Burgundy, who was imprisoned after the Tour de Nesle scandals and later annulled; second to Marie of Luxembourg, who died after a premature birth; and third to his cousin Jeanne d'Évreux, whose coronation in 1326 was a lavish event featuring the first recorded appearance of the cook Guillaume Tirel.
In foreign policy, Charles confronted a peasant revolt in Flanders beginning in 1323 and made an unsuccessful bid for Holy Roman Emperor in 1324. His conflict with England over the Duchy of Guyenne led to the War of Saint-Sardos (1324), in which his uncle Charles of Valois captured most of Aquitaine. Edward II of England eventually paid homage and ceded territory, but tensions continued. Charles's sister Isabella was sent to France in 1325 to negotiate peace, later using funds from Charles to raise an army that deposed Edward II.
Domestically, Charles executed the Count of L'Isle-Jourdain, founded a famous library at Fontainebleau, and debased coinage, sold offices, and increased taxes, making his administration unpopular. He was involved in Jewish issues, including collecting fines from the 1321 leper scare and at least acquiescing in the expulsion of many Jews from France.
Reader's Guide
Charles IV's significance lies primarily in his role as the last direct Capetian king. His death without a male heir in 1328 ended the senior line of the House of Capet, leading to a succession dispute between Philip of Valois (his paternal first cousin) and the English monarchs descended from Charles's sister Isabella. This dispute was a factor in the Hundred Years' War. His reign also saw the War of Saint-Sardos, which reduced English holdings in Aquitaine, and the renewal of the Auld Alliance with Scotland via the Treaty of Corbeil (1326). Domestically, his conservative rule and unpopular fiscal policies, including debasement of coinage and expulsion of Jews, left a mixed legacy. His founding of the library at Fontainebleau reflects a relatively well-educated king, but his reliance on his uncle Charles of Valois and his inability to produce a male heir shaped the political landscape of France for generations.
Did You Know?
- Charles IV was known as 'the Fair' in France and 'the Bald' in Navarre.
- His first wife, Blanche of Burgundy, was imprisoned after the Tour de Nesle scandals of 1314.
- He founded a famous library at Fontainebleau.
- His death without a male heir led to the succession dispute that contributed to the Hundred Years' War.
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