French Monarch. Jean le Bon. Born the son of Philippe VI and Jeanne of Burgundy. At thirteen, he married Bonne of Luxemburg, with whom he eventually had nine children. Bonne died one year before his ascension to the throne in 1350 and he married Joanna, Countess of Auvergne and Boulogne. The early part of his reign was marred by his choice of corrupt advisors who robbed the treasury and passed oppressive measure. An economic crisis led to him debasing the kingdom's coinage to pay for the ongoing Hundred Years War between France and England. His eldest daughter, Jeanne, married Charles II of Navarre with whom King Jean maintained a chronic antagonism. In 1356 he fought at the Battle of Poitiers, where he suffered a humiliating defeat and was taken as captive by Prince Edward of England. The treaty of Bretigny in 1360 fixed his ransom at 3,000,000 crowns. The captive king was held in England to await ransom payment. He was first held in the Savoy Palace, then at Windsor, Hertford, Somerton, and at last in the Tower's royal apartments. He was accorded royal privileges, permitted to travel, and to enjoy a lifestyle to which he was accustomed. When his son, Louis of Anjou, surrendered in English-held Calais as a replacement hostage, Jean was allowed to return to France in order to raise his ransom. When Louis escaped English custody in the summer of 1363, Jean resubmitted himself to English custody in order, he claimed, to preserve the honor of his crown. He returned to England where he was well received, and was again maintained in the Savoy. He was also a frequent guest of King Edward. He died less than a year later. His body was sent back to France with royal honors and interred at Saint Denis' Basilica.
French Monarch. Jean le Bon. Born the son of Philippe VI and Jeanne of Burgundy. At thirteen, he married Bonne of Luxemburg, with whom he eventually had nine children. Bonne died one year before his ascension to the throne in 1350 and he married Joanna, Countess of Auvergne and Boulogne. The early part of his reign was marred by his choice of corrupt advisors who robbed the treasury and passed oppressive measure. An economic crisis led to him debasing the kingdom's coinage to pay for the ongoing Hundred Years War between France and England. His eldest daughter, Jeanne, married Charles II of Navarre with whom King Jean maintained a chronic antagonism. In 1356 he fought at the Battle of Poitiers, where he suffered a humiliating defeat and was taken as captive by Prince Edward of England. The treaty of Bretigny in 1360 fixed his ransom at 3,000,000 crowns. The captive king was held in England to await ransom payment. He was first held in the Savoy Palace, then at Windsor, Hertford, Somerton, and at last in the Tower's royal apartments. He was accorded royal privileges, permitted to travel, and to enjoy a lifestyle to which he was accustomed. When his son, Louis of Anjou, surrendered in English-held Calais as a replacement hostage, Jean was allowed to return to France in order to raise his ransom. When Louis escaped English custody in the summer of 1363, Jean resubmitted himself to English custody in order, he claimed, to preserve the honor of his crown. He returned to England where he was well received, and was again maintained in the Savoy. He was also a frequent guest of King Edward. He died less than a year later. His body was sent back to France with royal honors and interred at Saint Denis' Basilica.
Bio by: Iola
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