King John Ransom
After the Battle of Poitiers, King John II of France was captured by the victorious English, and was held at ransom. Although he was held in the Tower of London as a prisoner, he was afforded many kingly luxuries such as permission to travel about and to enjoy a regal lifestyle. He had what amounted to a small court in prison, owning horses, pets, and clothes while maintaining an astrologer and a court band.
King John began the challenging task of negotiating a peace treaty, which would likely require the payment of a large ransom and territorial concessions. He signed a treaty in 1359 that would have ceded most of western France to England and involved a colossal ransom of 4 million crowns for his freedom. Charles had little choice but to
King John began the challenging task of negotiating a peace treaty, which would likely require the payment of a large ransom and territorial concessions. He signed a treaty in 1359 that would have ceded most of western France to England and involved a colossal ransom of 4 million crowns for his freedom. Charles had little choice but to