Jean II le Bon
King of France · 1350-1364 · born on 26 April 1319, died on 8 April 1364
Jean II succeeded his father Philip VI in 1350, in the midst of the Hundred Years’ War. His reign opened in difficulty: weakening of the currency, discontent among the nobility and the towns, resumption of hostilities against England.
In 1356, at the battle of Poitiers, he was taken prisoner by the English along with his son Philip. Taken to London, he was released in 1362, after payment of part of the ransom fixed by the Treaty of Brétigny (signed 8 May 1360, ratified at Calais in October). He returned voluntarily to give himself up in 1364, after the flight of his son Louis of Anjou, left as hostage. He died in London.
Nicknamed “the Good”, he is above all remembered as a captive king. His reign nonetheless saw the meeting of the Estates-General (1355-1358) and the reform attempts of the dauphin Charles, the future Charles V.
In the tree of power
- Era: Valois
- Predecessor: Philippe VI de Valois (1328-1350)
- Successor: Charles V le Sage (1364-1380)