The French king, John II, is held captive in England.

The Treaty of Brétigny sets his ransom at three million crowns and allows for hostages to be held in lieu of John.

The hostages included two of his sons, several princes and nobles, four inhabitants of Paris, and two citizens from each of the nineteen principal towns of France.

While these hostages are held, John returns to France to try to raise funds to pay the ransom.

In 1362 John's son Louis of Anjou, a hostage in English-held Calais, escapes captivity.

John, with his stand-in hostage gone, feels honor-bound to return to captivity in England.

The French crown has been at odds with Navarre (near southern Gascony) since 1354 and in 1363 the Navarrese use John II's captivity in London and the political weakness of the Dauphin to try to seize power.

Although there is no formal treaty, Edward III supports the Navarrese moves particularly as there is a prospect that he might gain control over the northern and western provinces as a consequence.

With this in mind Edward deliberately slows the peace negotiations.

In 1364, John II dies in London, while still in honorable captivity.

Charles V succeeds him as king of France.

On 6 May 1364, one month after the dauphin's accession and three days before his coronation as Charles V, the Navarrese suffer a crushing defeat at the Battle of Cocherel.