Charles IV of France

Charles IV, born on 18/19 June 1294, was the last monarch from the direct Capetian line to rule as King of France and Navarre, reigning from 1322 until his death in 1328. Known as ‘the Fair’ in France and ‘the Bald’ in Navarre, he was Philip IV’s third son and earned a reputation for being conservative and rigid in defending his prerogatives. His reign saw domestic and foreign challenges, including a peasant revolt in Flanders and the War of Saint-Sardos against England, during which he annexed the Duchy of Guyenne but later returned it under a peace agreement.

Charles IV’s death without a male heir led to the extinction of the senior Capetian line. His niece Joan II succeeded him in Navarre, while his cousin Philip of Valois ascended the French throne, sparking the Hundred Years’ War over succession disputes. Charles IV was well-educated and founded a library at Fontainebleau, but his administration faced unpopularity due to fiscal policies and his involvement in Jewish issues. His foreign policy was marked by the renewal of the Auld Alliance with Scotland and a failed bid for the Holy Roman Empire.