On This Day
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The French Franc is created to pay the ransom of King John II of France, captured by the English during the Hundred Year

The French Franc is created to pay the ransom of King John II of France, captured by the English during the Hundred Years War

John II (French: Jean II; 26 April 1319 – 8 April 1364), called John the Good (French: Jean le Bon), was King of France from 1350 until his death in 1364. When he came to power, France faced several disasters: the Black Death, which killed between a third and a half of its population; popular revolts known as Jacqueries; free companies (Grandes Compagnies) of routiers who plundered the country; and English aggression that resulted in catastrophic military losses, including the Battle of Poitiers of 1356, in which John was captured.

While John was a prisoner in London, his son Charles became regent and faced several rebellions, which he overcame. To liberate his father, he concluded the Treaty of Brétigny (1360), by which France lost many territories and paid an enormous ransom.

Historical Significance

John II (French: Jean II; 26 April 1319 – 8 April 1364), called John the Good (French: Jean le Bon), was King of France from 1350 until his death in 1364.

Events Before

  1. Treaty of Zadar: The Venetian Republic loses influence over Dalmatia in exchange for ending hostilities with the King of

    Treaty of Zadar: The Venetian Republic loses influence over Dalmatia in exchange for ending hostilities with the King of Hungary and Croatia, Louis I

  2. Daint-Leu at Oise begins French boer uprising

    Daint-Leu at Oise begins French boer uprising

  3. French Jacquerie peasant leader Guillaume Cale captured at the Battle of Mello

    The Jacquerie was a popular revolt by peasants that took place in northern France in the early summer of 1358 during the Hundred Years' War.

  4. John of Gaunt (19), English prince, son of Edward III, marries Blanche of Lancaster (17) at Reading Abbey

    John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (6 March 1340 – 3 February 1399), was an English prince, military leader and statesman.

  5. Francesco II Ordelaffi of Forlì surrenders to the Papal commander Gil de Albornoz.

    The crusade against Francesco Ordelaffi (1356–1359) was an international military campaign to restore the temporal power of the Holy See over part of the Romagna.

Events After

  1. Edward the Black Prince of England is married to Joan Plantagenet 'the fair maid of Kent' at Windsor Castle

    Edward of Woodstock (15 June 1330 – 8 June 1376), known as the Black Prince, was the eldest son and heir apparent of King Edward III of England.

  2. Henry of Grosmont, the richest peer in England, is buried at the Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady of Newarke, Leic

    Henry of Grosmont, the richest peer in England, is buried at the Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady of Newarke, Leicester, with the royal family in attendance

  3. A great storm tide in the North Sea destroys the German island of Strand and the city of Rungholt

    Rungholt was a low-lying settlement in North Frisia, in what was then the Danish Duchy of Schleswig. The area today lies in Germany.

  4. Tard-Venus robber bands strike at Brignais, France

    Tard-Venus robber bands strike at Brignais, France

  5. Muhammad VI ruler of Granada killed with a lance personally by Peter I of Castile, along with 36 followers and his head

    Muhammad VI ruler of Granada killed with a lance personally by Peter I of Castile, along with 36 followers and his head sent to Muhammad V (or 27 April)

More from the 1360s

In a coronation ceremony, Zhu Yuanzhang, aged 40, ascends to the throne of China as the Hongwu Emperor, initiating Ming

In a coronation ceremony, Zhu Yuanzhang, aged 40, ascends to the throne of China as the Hongwu Emperor, initiating Ming Dynasty rule over China that lasts for three centuries

Battle of Navarrete: Alliance of King Peter of Castile, Edward the Black Prince and John of Gaunt of England, Aquitaine,

Battle of Navarrete: Alliance of King Peter of Castile, Edward the Black Prince and John of Gaunt of England, Aquitaine, Majorca and Navarre defeats Count Henry of Castile near Nájera in La Rioja, Castile

Lionel of Antwerp (29), son of Edward III of England marries second wife Violante Visconti (13) in Milan. Attending are

Lionel of Antwerp (29), son of Edward III of England marries second wife Violante Visconti (13) in Milan. Attending are three of Medieval Europe's most famous writers - Geoffrey Chaucer, Jean Froissart and Petrarch

Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy marries Margaret 111 Countess of Flanders

Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy marries Margaret 111 Countess of Flanders

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on December 5, 1360?
John II (French: Jean II; 26 April 1319 – 8 April 1364), called John the Good (French: Jean le Bon), was King of France from 1350 until his death in 1364. When he came to power, France faced several disasters: the Black Death, which killed between a third and a half of its population; popular revolts known as Jacqueries; free companies (Grandes Compagnies) of routiers who plundered the country; and English aggression that resulted in catastrophic military losses, including the Battle of Poitiers of 1356, in which John was captured. While John was a prisoner in London, his son Charles became regent and faced several rebellions, which he overcame.
Why is The French Franc is created to pay the ransom of King John II of France, capt... significant?
John II (French: Jean II; 26 April 1319 – 8 April 1364), called John the Good (French: Jean le Bon), was King of France from 1350 until his death in 1364.

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December 5 in HistoryYear 1360