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Study Guide: Charles VII of France: Reign and Legacy

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Charles VII of France: Reign and Legacy Study Guide

Early Reign and Challenges

Charles VII of France is historically recognized by the epithets 'the Victorious' (le Victorieux) and 'the Well-Served' (le Bien-Servi), which reflect key aspects of his reign.

Answer: True

Explanation: The epithets 'the Victorious' and 'the Well-Served' are indeed associated with Charles VII, reflecting his successful conclusion of the Hundred Years' War and the support he received during his reign.

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Upon inheriting the throne, Charles VII faced a France unified and free from foreign occupation.

Answer: False

Explanation: Contrary to this statement, Charles VII inherited a France deeply divided and significantly occupied by English forces and their Burgundian allies at the time of his father's death.

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The nickname 'King of Bourges' was a term of honor, signifying Charles VII's control over the entire kingdom early in his reign.

Answer: False

Explanation: The nickname 'King of Bourges' was initially a derogatory term used by his enemies, reflecting the limited territory under his effective control during the early, challenging years of his reign.

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Charles VII was born in the city of Bourges in 1403.

Answer: False

Explanation: Charles VII was born in Paris in 1403. The city of Bourges became significant later in his reign as the seat of his government when much of northern France was under English control.

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Charles VII's heraldic device during his dauphin years was a golden fleur-de-lis.

Answer: False

Explanation: During his dauphin years, Charles VII's heraldic device was a mailed fist clutching a naked sword, symbolizing his readiness for conflict, not a golden fleur-de-lis.

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Charles VII held the title Duke of Burgundy before becoming King of France.

Answer: False

Explanation: Charles VII never held the title of Duke of Burgundy. He was the Dauphin of France and held various other ducal titles, such as Duke of Touraine, but Burgundy was held by a separate branch of the royal family.

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The Armagnac–Burgundian Civil War involved the Armagnacs fighting against the English for control of France.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Armagnac–Burgundian Civil War was an internal conflict within France between the Armagnac faction (supporting the Valois) and the Burgundian faction (initially allied with the English). The Armagnacs fought against the Burgundians, not directly against the English as their primary antagonists in this civil war.

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Who was Charles VII of France?

Answer: The King of France from 1422 to 1461

Explanation: Charles VII reigned as King of France from 1422 to 1461, presiding over the critical period that saw the conclusion of the Hundred Years' War.

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Why was Charles VII derisively nicknamed the 'King of Bourges'?

Answer: Because his court was based in Bourges during the early, difficult years of his reign.

Explanation: The appellation 'King of Bourges' originated as a derogatory term used by his adversaries, signifying that his effective rule was confined to the region around Bourges due to the extensive English and Burgundian occupation of northern France.

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What title did Charles VII hold as the heir apparent to the French throne?

Answer: Dauphin of France

Explanation: As the heir apparent to the French throne, Charles VII held the traditional title of Dauphin of France.

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Who was assassinated in 1419 during a meeting intended for reconciliation with the Dauphin Charles (later Charles VII)?

Answer: John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy

Explanation: John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy, was assassinated in 1419 during a planned reconciliation meeting with the Dauphin Charles, an event that deepened the divisions within France.

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The epithet 'le Bien-Servi' applied to Charles VII suggests that he was:

Answer: Well-served by loyal and effective supporters.

Explanation: The epithet 'le Bien-Servi' (the Well-Served) implies that Charles VII benefited greatly from the loyalty and effectiveness of his counselors, military leaders, and allies, who were instrumental in his successes.

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The Armagnac–Burgundian Civil War was primarily a conflict between factions supporting:

Answer: The House of Valois (Armagnacs) and the English-allied House of Valois-Burgundy (Burgundians).

Explanation: The Armagnac–Burgundian Civil War was an internal French conflict pitting the Armagnac faction, loyal to the Valois dynasty, against the Burgundian faction, which allied itself with the English during the Hundred Years' War.

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Which of these titles did Charles VII hold *before* becoming King of France?

Answer: Duke of Touraine

Explanation: Before ascending to the throne as King of France, Charles VII held various titles, including Dauphin of France, Duke of Touraine, and Count of Poitou.

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What was the primary reason Charles VII was sometimes referred to as the 'King of Bourges'?

Answer: It served as the primary seat of his government during a period of English occupation of northern France.

Explanation: The nickname 'King of Bourges' arose because Charles VII established his court and primary seat of government in Bourges during the early years of his reign, when much of northern France was under English control.

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The Turning Point: Joan of Arc and Legitimacy

Joan of Arc's arrival in 1429 significantly weakened French morale and led to further English advances.

Answer: False

Explanation: Joan of Arc's intervention in 1429 had the opposite effect; her leadership and inspiration revitalized French morale and led to critical victories, such as the lifting of the Siege of Orléans.

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Charles VII's coronation took place in Paris, the traditional capital, shortly after Joan of Arc's intervention.

Answer: False

Explanation: Charles VII's coronation occurred at Reims Cathedral in 1429, a significant event that legitimized his claim to the throne, not in Paris, which was still under English and Burgundian control.

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The Battle of Patay was a significant English victory that halted the French advance towards Reims.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Battle of Patay (1429) was a decisive French victory, crucial in clearing the path for Charles VII's advance and subsequent coronation at Reims.

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After her capture, Joan of Arc was tried by a French court and subsequently retired to a convent.

Answer: False

Explanation: Following her capture, Joan of Arc was tried by an ecclesiastical court heavily influenced by the English and Burgundians, found guilty of heresy, and subsequently burned at the stake, not retired to a convent.

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Who played a pivotal role in shifting the momentum of the Hundred Years' War in favor of Charles VII starting in 1429?

Answer: Joan of Arc

Explanation: Joan of Arc's appearance in 1429 marked a critical turning point, inspiring French forces and leading to decisive victories that revitalized Charles VII's cause and shifted the momentum of the war.

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Where did the coronation of Charles VII take place in 1429, a crucial event for his legitimacy?

Answer: Reims Cathedral

Explanation: The coronation of Charles VII occurred at Reims Cathedral on July 17, 1429, a traditional site for French coronations, which significantly bolstered his legitimacy during the ongoing conflict.

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What fate befell Joan of Arc after her capture by Burgundian troops?

Answer: She was tried for heresy by a pro-English court and burned at the stake.

Explanation: After her capture by Burgundian forces and subsequent handover to the English, Joan of Arc was tried by an ecclesiastical court, convicted of heresy, and executed by burning at the stake in 1431.

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Why was Charles VII's coronation at Reims Cathedral so important?

Answer: It was a traditional site that helped legitimize his claim to the throne amidst challenges.

Explanation: The coronation at Reims Cathedral held immense symbolic importance, as it was the traditional site for the consecration of French monarchs, thereby reinforcing Charles VII's legitimacy against the claims established by the Treaty of Troyes.

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Military Reforms and Reconquest

Charles VII utilized a newly organized professional army and advanced siege cannons to recover French territories.

Answer: True

Explanation: Charles VII's reign saw significant military modernization, including the establishment of a professional standing army and the effective use of artillery, which were instrumental in reconquering French territories from the English.

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Charles VII's military reforms focused on strengthening feudal levies and traditional knightly orders.

Answer: False

Explanation: Charles VII's military reforms were directed towards establishing a professional standing army, moving away from reliance on feudal levies and traditional knightly orders.

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Which key territory was successfully recovered by Charles VII during his campaigns to expel the English from France?

Answer: Normandy

Explanation: Through strategic campaigns and military reforms, Charles VII successfully recovered significant territories, including the Duchy of Normandy, as part of his effort to expel English forces from France.

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What significant military reform did Charles VII implement?

Answer: Creating a professional standing army.

Explanation: Charles VII is credited with establishing a professional standing army, a crucial reform that enhanced French military effectiveness and laid the foundation for future military organization.

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Diplomacy and Key Treaties

The Treaty of Arras (1435) solidified the alliance between England and Burgundy against Charles VII.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Treaty of Arras (1435) was a pivotal diplomatic success for Charles VII, as it led to the reconciliation between the Duke of Burgundy and the French crown, thereby ending the Burgundian alliance with England.

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The Treaty of Troyes (1420) recognized Charles VII as the legitimate heir to the French throne.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Treaty of Troyes (1420) had the opposite effect; it disinherited Charles VII (then Dauphin) and declared Henry V of England and his heirs as the legitimate successors to the French throne.

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Which treaty, signed in 1420, declared Charles VII illegitimate and named Henry V of England as the successor to the French throne?

Answer: Treaty of Troyes

Explanation: The Treaty of Troyes, signed in 1420, was a pivotal agreement that disinherited Charles VII and designated Henry V of England as the legitimate heir to the French crown.

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What was the significance of the Treaty of Arras signed in 1435?

Answer: It ended the civil war by reconciling the Burgundian faction with Charles VII.

Explanation: The Treaty of Arras in 1435 was a major diplomatic triumph for Charles VII, as it secured the reconciliation of the Duke of Burgundy and his faction with the French crown, thereby ending a critical internal conflict.

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What was the primary objective of the Treaty of Troyes (1420)?

Answer: To establish peace and recognize Henry V of England as the successor to the French throne.

Explanation: The Treaty of Troyes (1420) aimed to end the Hundred Years' War by establishing peace and designating Henry V of England as the heir to the French throne, thereby disinheriting the Dauphin Charles.

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What does the term 'Dual monarchy of England and France' refer to in the context of Charles VII's reign?

Answer: The period when the English crown claimed the right to rule France, as per the Treaty of Troyes.

Explanation: The 'Dual monarchy of England and France' refers to the political arrangement established by the Treaty of Troyes, wherein the English monarch claimed succession to the French throne, creating a contested dual rule during Charles VII's early reign.

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Royal Authority and Church Policy

The Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges was a treaty signed with England to end the Hundred Years' War.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges (1438) was not a treaty with England but a royal decree asserting Charles VII's authority over the French church and limiting papal influence within the kingdom.

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Charles VII established the University of Paris to train his administrators.

Answer: False

Explanation: While Charles VII was a patron of education, the University of Paris predates his reign significantly. He did, however, establish the University of Poitiers in 1432.

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The Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges, issued by Charles VII, primarily aimed to:

Answer: Assert royal authority over the French church and limit papal influence.

Explanation: The Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges (1438) was a significant royal decree that asserted Charles VII's authority over ecclesiastical matters in France, thereby limiting the Pope's power and influence within the kingdom.

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The Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges (1438) was a significant assertion of power by Charles VII against which institution?

Answer: The Papacy

Explanation: The Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges represented a significant assertion of royal authority by Charles VII against the Papacy, aiming to limit papal interference and financial demands within the Kingdom of France.

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Key Figures and Personal Life

Charles VII and his son, Louis XI, enjoyed a close and supportive relationship throughout his reign.

Answer: False

Explanation: The relationship between Charles VII and his heir, Louis XI, was marked by significant conflict and estrangement, largely due to Louis's ambition and Charles's reluctance to cede power.

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Charles VII's parents were Henry V of England and Catherine of Valois.

Answer: False

Explanation: Charles VII's parents were Charles VI of France and Isabeau of Bavaria. Henry V of England and Catherine of Valois were his father-in-law and mother-in-law, respectively, and key figures in the Treaty of Troyes.

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Charles VII and his wife, Marie of Anjou, had only two children.

Answer: False

Explanation: Charles VII and Marie of Anjou had fourteen children, including their successor, Louis XI, ensuring the continuation of the Valois dynasty.

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Agnès Sorel was Charles VII's legitimate wife and Queen of France.

Answer: False

Explanation: Agnès Sorel was Charles VII's most famous mistress and a significant figure at court, but she was not his legitimate wife or Queen of France; that role belonged to Marie of Anjou.

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Yolande of Aragon actively opposed Charles VII's claim to the throne, supporting the English.

Answer: False

Explanation: Yolande of Aragon, mother of Charles VII's wife Marie of Anjou, was a staunch supporter of Charles VII's claim and played a crucial role in sustaining his court during difficult times.

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Charles VII married Marie of Anjou in 1413, before his father's death.

Answer: False

Explanation: While Charles VII and Marie of Anjou were engaged in 1413, their marriage did not take place until December 18, 1422, shortly after his father's death and his own accession to the throne.

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Who were Charles VII's parents?

Answer: Charles VI of France and Isabeau of Bavaria

Explanation: Charles VII was the son of King Charles VI of France and Queen Isabeau of Bavaria.

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Which individual is identified as Charles VII's most famous mistress?

Answer: Agnès Sorel

Explanation: Agnès Sorel is widely recognized as Charles VII's most influential and famous mistress, holding considerable sway at court and bearing him several children.

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The relationship between Charles VII and his son, the future Louis XI, was characterized by:

Answer: Significant conflict and estrangement over political power.

Explanation: The relationship between Charles VII and his son, the Dauphin Louis, was deeply strained by Louis's ambition and Charles's refusal to grant him substantial political authority, leading to open conflict and estrangement.

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Who was Yolande of Aragon, and what was her role in Charles VII's life?

Answer: The mother of Marie of Anjou, who provided crucial support to Charles.

Explanation: Yolande of Aragon was the mother of Marie of Anjou, Charles VII's wife. She was a politically astute figure who provided vital support and resources to Charles VII during the critical early stages of his reign.

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Who was Jean de Dunois, mentioned in relation to Joan of Arc and Charles VII's campaigns?

Answer: A key French commander who fought alongside Joan of Arc.

Explanation: Jean de Dunois, often referred to as the Bastard of Orléans, was a prominent French military leader who played a crucial role in the campaigns alongside Joan of Arc and contributed significantly to Charles VII's military successes.

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End of the Hundred Years' War and Legacy

The Hundred Years' War concluded with England retaining significant continental possessions, including Normandy and Aquitaine.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Hundred Years' War concluded with a decisive French victory, resulting in England losing all continental possessions except for the port of Calais.

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Charles VII died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his family.

Answer: False

Explanation: Charles VII's death was not peaceful; he succumbed to illness, infection, and likely starvation due to a severe abscess, and was estranged from his son at the time of his passing.

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Charles VII's main legacy is his failure to conclude the Hundred Years' War, which was eventually finished by his successor.

Answer: False

Explanation: Charles VII's primary legacy is precisely the opposite: his successful leadership led to the conclusion of the Hundred Years' War and the expulsion of the English from most of France.

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Charles VII died in Paris after a long illness.

Answer: False

Explanation: Charles VII died in Mehun-sur-Yèvre, not Paris, and his death was attributed to illness and infection, exacerbated by a severe abscess, rather than a prolonged period of recovery.

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Charles VII requested to be buried in England, near his rival Henry VI.

Answer: False

Explanation: Charles VII requested to be buried in France, specifically in the Basilica of Saint-Denis, alongside his parents.

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Charles VII was succeeded by his brother, John.

Answer: False

Explanation: Charles VII was succeeded by his son, Louis XI. His brother John had died much earlier without issue.

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Following the Battle of Castillon, England retained control over the Duchy of Aquitaine.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Battle of Castillon (1453) marked the final French victory in the Hundred Years' War, leading to the expulsion of the English from Aquitaine and all other continental territories except Calais.

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What major conflict concluded during Charles VII's reign?

Answer: The Hundred Years' War

Explanation: Charles VII's reign is historically significant for its conclusion of the protracted Hundred Years' War, effectively expelling English forces from French territory.

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What was the ultimate outcome for England regarding its continental possessions after the Hundred Years' War?

Answer: England lost all continental territories except the port of Calais.

Explanation: Following the conclusion of the Hundred Years' War, England's continental holdings were reduced to the single strategic port of Calais, marking a significant territorial loss.

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How did Charles VII ultimately die?

Answer: He succumbed to illness and infection after a prolonged period of suffering.

Explanation: Charles VII died in 1461 from complications arising from a severe abscess and subsequent illness, which prevented him from eating or drinking, rather than from battle, assassination, or peaceful old age.

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What was the primary significance of the Battle of Castillon in 1453?

Answer: It was the final major battle of the Hundred Years' War, resulting in a French victory.

Explanation: The Battle of Castillon in 1453 was the decisive final engagement of the Hundred Years' War, securing a French victory that led to the complete expulsion of English forces from French territory.

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Which of the following was NOT an accomplishment or action attributed to Charles VII in the source text?

Answer: Establishing the University of Paris

Explanation: While Charles VII was instrumental in concluding the Hundred Years' War, reforming the military, and issuing the Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges, the establishment of the University of Paris predates his reign significantly.

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