From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Charles V
(21 January 1338 ? 16 September 1380), called
the Wise
(
French
:
le Sage
) was the
King of France
from 1364 until his death in 1380. He was a member of the
House of Valois
and was the third french king to rule under the dynasty. He was born in
Vincennes
, the son of the future King
John II of France
(then known as
Dauphin John
) and
Bonne of Luxembourg
. Charles was 11 years old when his mother
Bonne of Luxembourg
died. A year later when Charles was 12, his grandfather,
King Philip VI
died. John then became the
King of France
and Charles became the
Dauphin
. Also, his father got remarried to
Joan I, Countess of Auvergne
. After his father was captured by the English at the
Battle of Poitiers
in 1356, Charles acted as the
Regent of France
until his father's death in 1364.
His reign marked a high point for France during the
Hundred Years' War
. His armies recovered large parts of the territory from King
Edward III of England
that had been given to
England
under the reign of his predecessors at the
Treaty of Bretigny
. He and his armies also defeated Edward III's fleet and kicked the English troops out of France.
Charles died on 16 September 1380 at the age of 42 in
Beaute-sur-Marne
near
Vincennes
and was succeeded by his 12 year old son,
Charles VI
. He was buried in
Saint Denis Basilica
.
Charles was a successful king. He was very capable and was also very intelligent. He was very popular around France and was undoubtedly one of France's greatest kings. These reasons eventually gave him the nickname, "the Wise". He also improved the economy of France and stabilized and centralized the country and left a stable throne and a stable country for his son and successor,
Charles VI
. However, under the reign of Charles VI, the country lad lost lands allowing the English to regain it and that the country became destabilized and decentralized.
