IMG_9471

Tower Jean Sans Peur between the Philippe Auguste wall and the hotel de Bourgogne.

In 1392 king Charles VI is struck by madness; he would suffer from such strokes in the following 30 years until his death. At that time France is at war with England and the king's health issues weaken France and lead to a civil war. Charles VI decides that, when he is unable to rule, his son shall be raised by his wife and his 3 uncles: the dukes of Berry, Bourbon and Bourgogne and the rule will be assumed by his brother the duke Louis of Orleans. Louis of Orleans considers himself as the natural heir to rule France and the wealthy Bourgogne house are keen to preserve their economic power. When The duke of Orleans dies in 1404 Louis d'Orleans rules France part-time and re-activates the war with England in order to expand the French territory, while Jean Sans Peur, the new duke of Burgundy, needs peace for his economical interests.