# Charles IV of France

> King of France and Navarre from 1322 to 1328 (1294–1328)

**Wikidata**: [Q174964](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q174964)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_IV_of_France)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/charles-iv-of-france

## Summary
Charles IV of France, also known as Charles the Fair, was the King of France and Navarre from 1322 until his death in 1328. He was a member of the Capetian dynasty and the last direct male heir of the House of Capet, ruling during a period of political and economic instability in France.

## Biography
- Born: June 18, 1294
- Nationality: France
- Education: No formal education details available.
- Known for: Being the last direct Capetian king of France before the succession crisis of 1328.
- Employer(s): Kingdom of France (as monarch)
- Field(s): Monarchy, politics, governance

## Contributions
Charles IV ruled during a time of significant political and economic strain. His reign was marked by:
- Legal reforms, including the extension of the *mauvaisneté* (bad faith) trials, which targeted individuals accused of acting in bad faith in legal disputes.
- Economic policies aimed at increasing royal revenues, including stricter enforcement of royal monopolies and taxation.
- Participation in the failed siege of Courtrai in 1328, which aimed to reassert French control over Flanders but ended in diplomatic and military failure.
- His death without a male heir triggered the succession crisis that led to the ascension of the House of Valois and the beginning of the Hundred Years' War.

## FAQs
**What is Charles IV of France known for?**  
Charles IV is known for being the last direct Capetian king of France. His death in 1328 without a male heir led to a succession crisis, which ultimately resulted in the rise of the Valois dynasty and influenced the start of the Hundred Years' War.

**When and how did Charles IV become king?**  
Charles IV became king in 1322 after the death of his brother Louis X. He was crowned in 1322 and ruled both France and Navarre, inheriting the thrones during a period of internal and external political instability.

**What were the major events during Charles IV's reign?**  
Key events included the Bursron trial, which involved accusations of adultery among the royal family, and the failed military campaign in Flanders, culminating in the unsuccessful siege of Courtrai in 1328.

**What happened after Charles IV's death?**  
Charles IV died in February 1328, and because he had no surviving male heir, the throne passed to his cousin Philip VI of the House of Valois, initiating the Valois succession and indirectly contributing to the outbreak of the Hundred Years' War.

**What were Charles IV's legal reforms?**  
Charles IV oversaw legal reforms that included the use of *mauvaisneté* trials, which were used to accuse and punish individuals for perceived disloyalty or bad faith in legal matters, reinforcing royal authority.

## Why They Matter
Charles IV's reign marked the end of the direct Capetian line, which had ruled France since the 10th century. His death without a direct heir precipitated a succession crisis that reshaped the French monarchy. This crisis was a key factor in the eventual rise of the Valois dynasty and had long-term consequences for the political landscape of Europe, including contributing to the outbreak of the Hundred Years' War between England and France.

## Notable For
- Last direct male heir of the House of Capet
- Triggering a succession crisis that led to the rise of the Valois dynasty
- Implementing legal reforms that targeted perceived disloyalty through *mauvaisneté* trials
- Failing to secure a stable succession due to his death without a male heir
- Attempting to reassert French control in Flanders, culminating in the failed siege of Courtrai

## Body
### Early Life and Lineage
Charles IV was born on June 18, 1294, into the Capetian dynasty, the ruling family of France since the late 10th century. He was the youngest son of Philip IV of France and Joan I of Navarre, making him heir to both the Kingdom of France and the Kingdom of Navarre. His early life was shaped by the political and military challenges of his father's reign, including conflicts with the papacy and economic strain from war debts.

### Accession to the Throne
Charles IV became King of France and Navarre in 1322 following the death of his brother Louis X. His reign began amid political uncertainty and economic difficulty. As king, he inherited a kingdom struggling with the aftermath of his father's and brother's policies, including tensions with the nobility and the Church.

### Governance and Legal Reforms
Charles IV's reign was characterized by efforts to strengthen royal authority. He pursued legal reforms that included the use of *mauvaisneté* trials to punish perceived disloyalty and consolidate power. These trials were used to accuse individuals of acting in bad faith, particularly in legal disputes, and were a tool for increasing royal revenues and influence.

### Foreign Policy and Military Campaigns
Charles IV attempted to reassert French control over Flanders, which had been a source of conflict for decades. In 1328, he led a military campaign that ended in the failed siege of Courtrai. This failure underscored the limits of his reign’s foreign policy and military reach.

### Death and Succession Crisis
Charles IV died on February 1, 1328, without a surviving male heir. His death triggered a succession crisis. Since the throne could not pass to a woman under the laws of the time, the crown went to his cousin, Philip VI of the House of Valois, marking the beginning of the Valois dynasty. This transition was contested by Edward III of England, who claimed the French throne through his mother, leading to the Hundred Years' War.

### Legacy
Charles IV's legacy is defined by the end of the direct Capetian line. His death without a direct heir reshaped the French monarchy and European politics. His reign, though short, was pivotal in the transition from the Capetian to the Valois dynasty and set the stage for future conflicts, including the Hundred Years' War. His efforts to maintain royal authority through legal means and military campaigns were ultimately overshadowed by the dynastic vacuum he left behind.

## References

1. Source
2. general catalog of BnF
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. BnF authorities
5. OPAC SBN
6. [Find a Grave](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/86222393/charles_iv)
7. Croatian Encyclopedia
8. Proleksis Encyclopedia
9. Spanish Biographical Dictionary
10. Find a Grave
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
12. CERL Thesaurus
13. Library of Congress Control Number
14. Sejm-Wielki.pl