Ransom of King John II of France - John's Return

John's Return

In the medieval period, large ransoms or payments could not be raised quickly and arrangements usually had to be made to ensure delivery over time. In the case of the Treaty of Brétigny, a clause was inserted that offered the surrender of forty high-born hostages as guarantee for the payment of the king's ransom. Prince Louis, who had avoided capture at Poitiers, was in this group and sailed to England from Calais in October 1360; his father, King John, was then released after four years in captivity. The treaty anticipated the payment of the full ransom within six months, but in reality further installments from an economically weakened France failed to materialise to schedule. After several years in captivity, Louis tried to negotiate his freedom in a private negotiation with Edward III of England and, when this failed, decided to escape, making it back to France in July 1363.

King John had not returned to a positive situation in 1360. France was still divided; he had lost considerable territories; the exchequer was faced with huge payments to England. The Dauphin too had faced tragedies: his three-year-old daughter, Jeanne, and his infant daughter Bonne died within two weeks of each other; Charles himself had been severely ill, with his hair and nails falling out; some suggest the symptoms are those of arsenic poisoning. Most of his inner circle had died at Poitiers. His royal administration continued to perform weakly. When John was informed that Louis had escaped, he announced that he would voluntarily return to captivity in England. John's council tried to dissuade him, but he persisted, citing reasons of "good faith and honor." He sailed for England that winter, being welcomed warmly in London in January 1364, but became ill and died the following April. His body was returned to France, where he was interred in the royal chambers at Saint Denis Basilica.

Why John returned to captivity remains open to question - even at that time, when chivalry was perhaps at its height, his reasoning seemed incredible. Acts of mercy and clemency were commented upon positively in medieval times, but behaviour which went against the chivalric code was generally forgotten if it was clearly in the interests of the state. Escaping from captivity was unchivalric, and would carry consequences - but hardly unheard of. John's critics alleged that he returned to London for "causa joci" (reasons of pleasure), referring back to his unmartial lifestyle. Historians have speculated that perhaps John simply could not face the difficulties of kingship in France. Potentially John may have seen his failures and Charles' misfortunes as a sign from God, and been seeking religious redemption. John may also have hoped to negotiate with Edward III directly. In any event, the true reason for John's return to England will remain unknown.

In the longer term, the ransom of King John would have considerable impact. The monies paid to England buffered the royal treasury up until the reign of King Henry V Although the short reign of Prince, now King Charles V, proved successful, the political chaos that had ensued after the capture of King John fed into the instability of the reign of King Charles VI, weakening France throughout much of the Hundred Years War.