The .C3.89tats g.C3.A9n.C3.A9raux Great Ordinance of 1357

Étienne marcel, illustration 19th century.

the battle of poitiers occurred on 19 september 1356. in new disaster france, john ii came close victory , 1 of young sons, philip bold, captured.

the beginnings of dauphin charles s regency fraught difficulty: 18, little experience or personal prestige (unlike father , brother had quit field of battle @ poitiers), , carrying shame of valois dynasty on shoulders. surrounded himself discredited members of father s royal counsel.

on arrival in paris, 10 days after battle, convened meeting of called states-general of langues d oïl on 17 october 1356. deputies of third estate numbered 400. dauphin faced strong opposition - Étienne marcel headed bourgeoisie , friends of charles of navarre regrouped around robert le coq, bishop of laon. within states-general, committee of 80 members, formed on own initiative facilitate discussions, supported claims. states-general declared dauphin king s lieutenant , defender of kingdom in father s absence , assigned him counsel of twenty men (twelve nobles, twelve bourgeois , 4 clerks) foreseen order of 1355.

Étienne marcel sought reform government , administration of kingdom. in return allowing king raise new taxes, demanded discharge of 7 compromised counselors , freeing of king of navarre. on these conditions, states disposed vote period of 1 year dauphin aid of décime , half on 3 orders revenues. not powerful enough refuse these suggestions straight away, dauphin postponed response (on pretext of waiting messengers father)), dissolved states-general , left paris metz render homage maternal uncle emperor charles iv. but, lacking money, found himself @ mercy of marcel, had seized upon indignation provoked new ordinance change currency (published on 10 december 1356) , caused corporations take arms; dauphin had accept dismissal of counsellors, cancel currency change , recall states-general, meet @ start of february 1357. on 3 march, after stormy debates, dauphin accepted promulgation of major grande ordonnance had been voted on 28 december during states-general of 1355 , father had ratified before departing fight english in summer 1356.