Charles V the Wise

Charles V le Sage (Known as "The Wise (Le Sage)")

King of France (1364–1380), Reconquered English Lands, Founded Royal Library at Louvre

Born Jan 21, 1338

Vincennes (near Paris), France

Passed Away Sep 16, 1380 Beauté-sur-Marne (Nogent-sur-Marne), Kingdom of France

Lifespan 42 years old

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Notice / Correction

"Knowledge and justice are the true diadems of a sovereign; force without wisdom destroys itself."

Archival Overview

Intellectual and strategic King of France whose prudent leadership reversed the disastrous defeats of the Hundred Years' War, recovering almost all English-held territories with Constable Bertrand du Guesclin.

Biographical Record

As Regent following the capture of his father John the Good at the Battle of Poitiers (1356), the young Dauphin Charles survived Étienne Marcel's Paris insurrection and the Jacquerie peasant revolt through coolness and political patience. Ascending the throne in 1364, he instituted sound currency and professional military forces.

Appointing Bertrand du Guesclin as Constable of France, Charles executed a brilliant war of attrition, exhausting English armies without pitched battles. A passionate bibliophile, he founded the Royal Library of France (now Bibliothèque nationale de France) in the Louvre tower, collecting over 1,000 precious illuminated manuscripts.

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial

Basilica of Saint-Denis
Saint-Denis, France

                         GPS: 48.9356, 2.3597                    

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