CHARLES II. (1332-S7). King of Navarre, known as TUE BAD. He was the son of Philip of Evreux and of Joanna, the daughter of the French King, Louis X. lle became King of Navarre in 134:1 on the death of his mother, and in 1352 married Joanna, the daughter of John II. of France. Between the two rulers an implacable hatred prevailed, resulting in great misfortunes to France. In 1354 John confiscated the exten sive possessions of the King of Navarre in Normandy. and in revenge Charles formed an alliance with the English and made preparations for the invasion of France. The two kings, how ever, became reconciled., Charles's territories were restored to him and in 1355 he was in Paris, ostensibly on terms of friendship with the King, but in reality plotting with the nobles against him. As a result, he was thrown into prison and was not freed until November. 1357. In the same year he was in Paris. at peace with the Dauphin, and enjoying great popularity with the bour geoisie. As a champion of the people he sided with Etienne Marcel (q.v.1 in the revolt of Paris against the royal authority, and in June, 1358, was made captain of the city. Ilis perfidiousness
and enmity. Iniwever, in repressing Ja•pierie destroyed his popularity. and after playing fast and loose with the Dauphin and the English he formed an alliance with the latter and ravaged Northern France for more than a year, till bought otr in 1359. After 1362 his importance in French politics waned, but he found sufficient scope for the exercise of his talent for duplicity in the complicated polities of the Iberian Peninsula. In 137$ Charles V. of France deprived him of his possessions in that country while a Castilian army invaded Navarre. With the aid of the English, however. he succeeded in warding off the danger on the side of Castile. Ile died on january 1, 1387. Charles was possessed of great political genius and line oratorical gifts: but he was mercenary, cruel, and perfectly unscrupu lous in the attainment of his ends. lle was twice accused of attempting to poison the French King, not without sufficient evidence.