Charles V of France
King of France who reconquered territory from the English.
Charles V of France, known as the Wise, lived from 1338 to 1380 and ruled as king from 1364 until his death. During the Hundred Years' War, his reign was a strong period for France: his forces won back much land the English had taken and overturned the military setbacks his predecessors had suffered.
When his father, John II, was captured by the English at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356, Charles became regent. He raised taxes to fund the kingdom's defense, which stirred up trouble. He faced hostility from nobles led by Charles the Bad of Navarre, opposition from the bourgeoisie through the Estates-General under Étienne Marcel, and a peasant uprising called the Jacquerie. Charles put down all these rebellions. However, to free his father, he had to sign the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360, giving up large parts of southwestern France to England's Edward III and agreeing to pay a huge ransom.
Charles became king in 1364. With capable advisers, he managed the kingdom skillfully, refilling the royal treasury and restoring the Valois dynasty's reputation. He created the first permanent army paid regular wages, which freed the French people from roaming mercenary bands that plundered the countryside when unemployed. Under Bertrand du Guesclin, this army turned the war in Charles's favor. By the end of his reign, they had recaptured almost all the lands given up in 1360. The French fleet, led by Admiral Jean de Vienne, also attacked the English coast for the first time since the war began.
Charles V died in 1380. His son, Charles VI, succeeded him, but his disastrous rule let the English regain control over large parts of France.
Charles was born at the Château de Vincennes near Paris, the son of Prince John and Princess Bonne. He was educated at court alongside other boys he stayed close to all his life, including his uncle Philip, Duke of Orléans, his three brothers Louis, John, and Philip, and many others. The future king was very intelligent but physically frail, with pale skin and a thin, poorly proportioned body—a sharp contrast to his tall, strong, sandy-haired father.
In 1343, Humbert II, Dauphin of Viennois, faced financial troubles and had lost his only son, so he decided to sell the Dauphiné, a large feudal territory within the Kingdom of Burgundy under the Holy Roman Empire. Neither the pope nor the emperor wanted to buy it. Complex talks followed betwe
- born
- 21 January 1338
- died
- 16 September 1380
- field
- Monarchy
- nationality
- French
- known_for
- Reversing English gains in the Hundred Years' War; establishing the first permanent French army
Lore & Background
Charles was born at the Château de Vincennes, son of Prince John and Princess Bonne. He was educated at court with other boys, including his uncle Philip and his three brothers. The future king was highly intelligent but physically weak, with pale skin and a thin, ill-proportioned body, contrasting sharply with his tall, strong father. In 1349, at age twelve, he became the first Dauphin of Viennois from the House of Valois under the Treaty of Romans, and he proceeded to Grenoble to receive the oath of allegiance from the people. On 8 April 1350, he married his cousin Joanna of Bourbon at Tain-l'Hermitage.
Reader's Guide
Charles became regent when his father John II was captured at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. He raised taxes for defense, facing hostility from the nobility led by Charles the Bad, opposition from the bourgeoisie through the Estates-General led by Étienne Marcel, and the Jacquerie peasant revolt. He overcame these rebellions but concluded the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360, abandoning large parts of southwestern France and agreeing to a huge ransom to free his father. As king from 1364, with talented advisers, he replenished the royal treasury, restored the prestige of the House of Valois, and established the first permanent army paid with regular wages. Led by Bertrand du Guesclin, the French Army reconquered almost all territories ceded in 1360, and the fleet under Admiral Jean de Vienne attacked the English coast for the first time since the war began. He died in 1380 and was succeeded by his son Charles VI, whose disastrous reign allowed the English to regain control.
Did You Know?
- Charles V was the first Dauphin of Viennois from the House of Valois, receiving the title at age twelve in 1349.
- He married his cousin Joanna of Bourbon on 8 April 1350, after obtaining papal approval for the consanguineous marriage.
- To pay for the kingdom's defense after his father's capture, Charles raised taxes, leading to rebellions from the nobility, bourgeoisie, and peasants.
- By the end of his reign, the French Army under Bertrand du Guesclin had reconquered almost all territories ceded to England in the Treaty of Brétigny.
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