2020-10-21 Wed

King Charles VI was born on December 3, 1368, to the House of Valois. He ruled France for an astounding 42 years, from 1380 until his death in 1422. Merely 11 years old when he was crowned king, his reign was initially well-favored, earning him the nickname Charles the Beloved.

He is known for his mental illness and psychotic episodes which plagued him throughout his life. Charles's reign would see his army crushed at the Battle of Agincourt, leading to the signing of the Treaty of Troyes, which made his future son-in-law Henry V of England his regent and heir to the throne of France. However, Henry would die shortly before Charles, which gave the House of Valois the chance to continue the fight against the English, leading to their eventual victory and the end of the Hundred Years' War in 1453.

Depicted here is a coin of Charles VI, a "double d'or", minted in La Rochelle in 1420. It depicts Charles sitting facing within portico, holding sword and scepter surmounted by Hand of Justice; seven lis to left and right.

Image Source: Wikipedia.org