France

Charles VI (1380-1422)

But as any number of 14^th-15^th century writers were to observe, fortune is fickle in the extreme. After fourteen good years, Charles V died leaving his twelve-year-old son to rule after him. Charles VI proved to be at first frivolous and unstable, and then he fell into insanity. During his reign France was torn by civil war and then endured catastrophic defeat in war that very nearly made France an extension of England.

Even though he was called "the Wise," one of Charles V's last decisions was most unwise: he abolished taxes. The country had been burdened with special taxes to meet the needs of the war, and the king doubtless thought he was doing no more than returning matters to their natural state. But as a deathbed decree, all he did was create intense anticipation. Since the new king could not yet rule himself, there was instead a mad scramble for position and power rather than the promised abolition of taxes. Charles VI was handsome and well-spoken, but he could not rule until he was fourteen. In the meantime, authority in France was technically in the hands of a Council of Twelve but for practical purposes it was his three uncles who did not so much rule as they spent their time in quarrels and maneuvers.