
Today in history, King John II was born in the year 1319
The eldest son of the future Philip VI of France and Joan of Burgundy, whose father became king when he was nine. When John became king, France faced several significant problems, such as the Black Death, rebellions known as Jacqueries, looting by free companies, and the Hundred Years' War with England. John tried to enact some military ordinances, economic reforms, and founded the Order of the Star, though without much success. He suffered a disastrous defeat against England, where he and his son Philip were captured, and his eldest son Charles served as his regent. He was forced to sign the Treaty of Bretigny, where France would pay a huge ransom and give territorial concessions. When John returned to France to raise money for the ransom after learning his son Louis escaped captivity, he went back to England, where he died.