Charles VI

(1368-1422)

   king of France

   Born in Paris, Charles VI was the son of King charles v and Jeanne de Bourbon. He governed at first as king of France under the tutelage of his uncles, the dukes of Anjou, Burgundy, Berry, and Bourbon, who, during their guardianship, suppressed various uprisings in Paris, Rouen, Languedoc, and that of Philip van Artevelde in Flanders. After a period of good government by his ministers (Les marmousets—so called because of the images carved of them on public buildings), Charles VI was struck with dementia (1392), and France was thrown into a civil war between the Armagnacs (House of Orléans) and the Burgundians. The king of England, Henry V, took advantage of this internal strife and invaded France, allying with the Bur-gundians and winning the Battle of Agincourt (1415). He also conquered Normandy (1417) and captured Rouen (1419) and Paris (1420). The English then imposed on Charles VI the disastrous Treaty of Troyes (1420), which, with the compliance of the queen, isabeau of bavaria, disinherited the dauphin (the future charles vii), recognized Henry V of England as heir to the kingdom of France, and conferred on him the regency. Abandoned by his family, the demented Charles VI spent his remaining days being cared for by his mistress, Odette de Champdivers.