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Karl VIIKing of France from the Valois dynasty from 1422 to 1461.
Date of Birth: 22.02.1403
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Content:
- Charles VII of France
- Struggle for the Throne
- Treaty of Troyes
- Joan of Arc and the Siege of Orleans
- Reconciliation with Burgundy
- Struggles with the Nobility
- Victory in the Hundred Years' War
- Personal Life and Death
Charles VII of France
Early Life and ReignCharles VII, born in 1403, was the third son of Charles VI and Isabeau of Bavaria. He became heir to the throne in 1415 after the deaths of his older brothers. Charles VII inherited a kingdom plagued by the Hundred Years' War and internal divisions between the Armagnacs and Burgundians.
Struggle for the Throne
Under the influence of the Armagnac faction, Charles VII alienated his mother, who joined forces with the Burgundians. In 1418, the Burgundians captured Paris, and Charles fled to Bourges. He established a rival government and continued to control southern France.
Treaty of Troyes
In 1420, the English king, Henry V, invaded France and forced Charles VI to sign the Treaty of Troyes, which disinherited Charles VII and named Henry as his successor. Henry married Catherine of Valois, cementing his claim to the French throne.
Joan of Arc and the Siege of Orleans
Charles VII faced overwhelming odds, but his fortunes changed with the arrival of Joan of Arc in 1429. Joan led the French to victory at the Siege of Orleans, raising their spirits and halting the English advance.
Reconciliation with Burgundy
In 1435, Charles VII reconciled with Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, who defected from the English alliance. This weakened the English position, and Charles began to regain territory.
Struggles with the Nobility
After the end of the war, Charles VII sought to consolidate his power by establishing a standing army and reducing the power of the feudal nobility. This led to the Praguerie conspiracy in 1440, which Charles suppressed with the help of his loyal general, the Constable of France, Arthur III of Brittany.
Victory in the Hundred Years' War
In 1449, hostilities between France and England resumed. Charles VII's reorganized army proved superior, and in 1453, Bordeaux, the last English stronghold, fell. The Hundred Years' War ended with a French victory.
Personal Life and Death
Charles VII, known as "Charles the Well-Served," was an indolent and self-indulgent ruler. He enjoyed hunting, feasting, and the company of mistresses. Despite his personal flaws, Charles remained a symbol of national unity and was revered by his subjects. He died in 1461, leaving behind a legacy of military triumph and a strengthened monarchy.
