Charles V 1337 - 1380.

King John was captured by the English at Poitiers and Charles took over running the country while his father was in captivity. He was known as ‘The Wise’ but was also ruthless putting down a revolt by the Parisians and keeping Charles II, King of Navarre, at arms length and in his own lands.

Charles built the Bastille in Paris with the purpose of intimidating the Parisians, the Louvre and the hotel Saint Pol. He forced the English to relinquish most of their land gains and with Du Guesclin, Clisson and Boucicaut, reformed the finances and extended privileges for places in Universities. He married Jeanne de Bourbon.