The Final Years and Death of Charles V ("the Wise") (1380)

By 1380, King Charles V of France ("Charles the Wise") had consolidated French control over Normandy, successfully neutralized the threat posed by Charles II of Navarre, and continued unsuccessful peace negotiations with England. Though he was an effective ruler known for his military and economic reforms, his heavy taxation policies had led to widespread discontent, especially among the working classes and nobility.

Charles V’s Reforms and Challenges

• Military Successes

  • Charles V secured French gains in Normandy, reducing English influence.
  • He neutralized Charles II of Navarre, whose ambitions had previously destabilized the region.

• Economic and Currency Reforms

  • He stabilized France’s currency, correcting earlier devaluations.
  • However, his heavy war taxation, particularly the hearth tax, caused significant unrest among the lower classes and nobility.

• Patron of Arts and Learning

  • He was a major patron of artists and intellectuals, commissioning illuminated manuscripts, translations of Aristotle, and architectural works.

• The Great Schism of the Papacy

  • His policies contributed to the Papal Schism (1378), dividing the Catholic Church between rival popes in Avignon and Rome, further complicating French and European politics.

Abolition of the Hearth Tax and Death (September 16, 1380)

• On his deathbed, recognizing rising noble and public discontent, Charles V canceled the hearth tax, the main financial pillar of his government.
• This sudden reversal left France financially weakened, exacerbating noble rivalries and fiscal instability.
• He died at the age of 42 on September 16, 1380.

Succession and the Regency of Philip of Burgundy

• His son, Charles VI, was only 11 years old at the time of his accession.
• Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, Charles V’s youngest brother, became regent, marking the beginning of Burgundian dominance at the French court.

Impact and Legacy

• Charles V’s reign restored France’s military fortunes, but his tax policies alienated key segments of society.
• His patronage of the arts and intellectual life laid the foundation for the cultural achievements of the early 15th century.
• His death and the regency of Philip the Bold set the stage for intense factional struggles at the French court, influencing the political instability of Charles VI’s reign.

Charles V’s reign was one of military and economic recovery, but his final decisions—especially the abolition of the hearth tax—created financial instability, shaping the political conflicts of the next generation.

This revision enhances clarity, strengthens readability, and fully contextualizes the final years and legacy of Charles V. Let me know if you’d like any refinements!