Charles VI of France

NAME Charles VI of France (1368–1422)

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Charles VI, often referred to as "Charles the Mad," is most famous for his mental illness, which led to a period of instability in France during his reign as King of France from 1380 to 1422.

BIRTH Born on December 3, 1368, in  Paris, France.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Charles VI was the son of King Charles V of France and Queen Joan of Bourbon. He was a member of the Valois dynasty, a cadet branch of the Capetian dynasty. His family included several notable figures of French nobility, including his uncle, Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, and his brother, Louis I de Valois, Duke of Orléans.

CHILDHOOD Charles had a privileged childhood as the heir to the French throne. He was tutored by some of the most learned scholars of his time,  and was given a thorough education in governance and the arts of war.

EDUCATION Charles received a classical education typical for a royal child of his era, which included training in languages, history, philosophy, and martial skills. His early education was focused on preparing him for kingship, including lessons in statecraft and military strategy.

CAREER RECORD Charles VI became King of France in 1380 at the age of 11. Initially, his uncles governed as regents until he reached maturity. His reign was marked by several key events, including the ongoing Hundred Years' War with England, internal feuds between the French nobility, and his own recurring mental illness, which often left him unable to govern.

APPEARANCE Charles VI was described as an attractive, physically fit young man who was taller than average with a broad chest. His appearance was considered princely, with dark features that were well-suited to the chivalric ideals of his time.

Contemporary depiction of Charles VI (1415)

FASHION Charles was known to dress in the elaborate and sumptuous fashions of the French court, which was renowned for its style and sophistication during the medieval period.

CHARACTER Charles VI was known for his charm and graciousness in his youth but later became infamous for his bouts of madness. His mental instability led to erratic behavior and a fluctuating temperament, which caused great political turmoil in France.

SENSE OF HUMOUR It is likely that he shared the playful and chivalric spirit of his time. However, his later years were overshadowed by his mental illness, which likely affected his demeanor and interactions.

RELATIONSHIPS Charles VI married Isabeau of Bavaria on July 17, 1385. Although their marriage began with mutual affection, it became strained due to his illness and the political machinations that followed. They had 12 children, but only a few survived to adulthood. His youngest son, Charles VII, eventually succeeded him as king.

Due to his frequent bouts of mental illness, Charles VI was often unable to govern, leading Queen Isabeau of Bavaria, to rule with the assistance of his brother, Louis I de Valois, Duke of Orléans. This arrangement angered his cousin, John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy, who ultimately ordered Louis's assassination.

MONEY AND FAME Charles VI’s reign was marked by economic difficulties exacerbated by his illness and the political instability it caused. His financial resources were often depleted by the costs of war and courtly expenses.

FOOD AND DRINK There is little specific information about Charles VI's dietary habits, but as a medieval French king, he would have had access to an array of rich foods typical of noble banquets, including meats, fish, bread, fruits, and elaborate desserts.

Isabeau of Bavaria, helped introduce foods from mainland Europe to the English court, including fancy sauces and vegetables.

Wine was likely his primary beverage, as it was safer to drink than water.

MUSIC AND ARTS Charles VI was a patron of the arts, and his court was a center of culture in medieval France. He supported musicians, artists, and poets, fostering a vibrant cultural environment.  Here are some key aspects of his artistic patronage:

Charles VI supported the production of lavishly illuminated manuscripts. He commissioned several important works, including books of hours and other religious texts.

The king and Isabeau of Bavaria were avid collectors of jewelry and commissioned exquisite objects from Parisian goldsmiths. They developed a new enameling technique called "émail en ronde-bosse", which became popular among the nobility.

The king commissioned important tapestry series, following in the footsteps of his uncle Louis d'Anjou. This helped support the Parisian tapestry industry.

Charles drew inspiration from literary sources in creating his personal iconography, including emblems like a white hart with wings and a golden collar.

LITERATURE Charles VI was a reader and enjoyed the works of contemporary authors, including Jean Froissart.

Charles VI continued the work of his father, Charles V, in expanding the royal library housed in the Louvre. By 1380, it contained around 900 volumes.

The king supported various writers and poets. For example, he was advised to read the works of Eustache Morel (Deschamps), a court poet.

Charles VI's reign coincided with the production of notable literary works in France, including writings by Christine de Pizan, a pioneering female author who often reflected on the state of France under Charles's troubled rule.

NATURE Charles VI spent time in the countryside and enjoyed hunting and other outdoor activities.

Miniature showing King Charles VI at the hunt. Queen Isabeau and her retinue are shown riding palfreys. 

PETS There is no detailed record of Charles VI's pets, though noble households of the period often kept hunting dogs and falcons.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Charles VI was interested in hunting and falconry. He also participated in jousting tournaments, a popular sport among knights.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Charles VI's reign was characterized by religious observances typical of a Christian king. He maintained the Church's favor, even as he enacted policies that had significant religious implications, such as the expulsion of Jews from his domains on November 17, 1394.

POLITICS Imagine a young king, barely out of his teens, thrust into the chaos of medieval France. Charles VI, a name that would become synonymous with madness, ascended the throne on September 16, 1380, surrounded by a bevy of scheming uncles. His reign was a rollercoaster of mental breakdowns, political power struggles, and foreign invasions.

First, there were the uncles. These power-hungry barons, each with their own agenda, vied for control of the young king. They manipulated him, fought amongst themselves, and plunged the kingdom into a state of perpetual turmoil. And then there was the king himself. Charles, a man of unpredictable temperament, suffered from a mysterious illness that sent him into fits of delirium. He'd attack his own men, babble incoherently, and believe he was a werewolf.

The situation was further complicated by the Hundred Years' War with England. Charles' armies were defeated time and again, and the English seemed poised to conquer France. To make matters worse, the king's own family was torn apart by internal feuds. His brother, the Duke of Orléans, clashed with his cousin, the Duke of Burgundy, in a brutal civil war that ravaged the land.

Through it all, Charles remained a pawn in the hands of others. His wife, Isabeau, was rumored to be having affairs and conspiring against him. His son, the Dauphin, was forced to flee the country as English forces advanced. And the king himself, a tragic figure in a tragic tale, was little more than a puppet, his mind a prisoner of his own madness.

SCANDAL Charles VI's reign was rife with scandal, including the assassination of his brother Louis I of Orléans, arranged by his cousin John the Fearless. Additionally, Charles was nearly killed during the scandalous Bal des Ardents on January 28, 1393, when several dancers' costumes caught fire, causing public outrage.

MILITARY RECORD Charles VI’s reign was marked by military challenges, primarily the ongoing Hundred Years' War with England. His early reign saw some victories, but later, due to his mental illness and internal political strife, the French army suffered significant defeats, notably at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Charles VI was initially healthy and physically fit, but from 1392 onwards, he suffered from recurrent bouts of madness, believed to be schizophrenia. He also suffered from glass delusions, believing his body was made of glass and might shatter, which heavily impacted his ability to rule.

HOMES Charles VI resided in several royal residences, including the Louvre Palace, the Château de Vincennes, and the Hôtel Saint-Pol. The Château de Vincennes became a favorite home, particularly for his wife, Isabeau.

Charles VI was involved in refurbishing several royal residences, most notably the château of Vincennes. Between 1362 and 1369, he employed 500 masons for this project.

TRAVEL Charles VI traveled for military campaigns, and his court moved between several royal residences throughout his reign. His travels were eventually limited due to his worsening mental condition.

DEATH Charles VI died on October 21, 1422, in Paris, France, at the Hôtel Saint-Pol, aged 53. He was succeeded by his son, Charles VII.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Charles VI has appeared in various historical texts, plays, and novels dealing with the Hundred Years' War. He is also depicted in paintings and other artworks from the medieval period.

In the 1944 film Henry V, Charles VI was portrayed by Harcourt Williams

Paul Scofield played Charles VI in the 1989 film adaptation of Henry V

In the 2012 TV series The Hollow Crown, Charles VI was played by Lambert Wilson.

Charles VI features in numerous historical documentaries about medieval France, the Hundred Years' War, and mental illness in history. For example, there's a documentary titled Charles VI - The French King Who Was Made of Glass that explores his reign and mental health issues

ACHIEVEMENTS Despite his mental illness, Charles VI’s reign saw the continuation of efforts to centralize royal power. His marriage alliance with Isabeau of Bavaria and the temporary peace treaty with England, marked by his daughter Isabella's marriage to Richard II of England, were notable diplomatic efforts during his reign. Charles was a patron of the arts and helped to preserve French culture during a difficult period.