French Royalty. Duc d'Orléans. Born in Paris, France, the eldest son of Louis de Valois, Duc d'Orléans, the second son of King Charles VI of France, and Valentine Visconti. In June 1406 he married his cousin Isabella, widow of Richard II of England. They had one daughter before Isabella's death three years later. He inherited his father's titles after the Duke's murder by Burgundian agents in 1407. During the English invasion of France and the battle of Agincourt, Charles served as co-commander and was wounded in action and taken prisoner. He was held in England, taking apartments in Windsor, Pontefract, Ampthill, Wingfield, and the Tower during the course of his prolonged stay and was allowed to indulge in pastimes befitting his rank, such as riding and hawking. During his enforced exile he also indulged in writing, and is credited as author of several hundred short French poems, the majority which were ballads or rondels. A ransom of 80,000 livres and a promise to pay 140,000 crowns in future was agreed upon in July 1440, and he was released the following November, having spent over twenty years a well kept prisoner. Upon his release he married Maria von Kleve daughter of Adolf I Herzog von Kleve, and with her had one son. He died at Amboise at the age of 70. His son would succeed to the French throne as Louis XII.

French Royalty. Duc d'Orléans. Born in Paris, France, the eldest son of Louis de Valois, Duc d'Orléans, the second son of King Charles VI of France, and Valentine Visconti. In June 1406 he married his cousin Isabella, widow of Richard II of England. They had one daughter before Isabella's death three years later. He inherited his father's titles after the Duke's murder by Burgundian agents in 1407. During the English invasion of France and the battle of Agincourt, Charles served as co-commander and was wounded in action and taken prisoner. He was held in England, taking apartments in Windsor, Pontefract, Ampthill, Wingfield, and the Tower during the course of his prolonged stay and was allowed to indulge in pastimes befitting his rank, such as riding and hawking. During his enforced exile he also indulged in writing, and is credited as author of several hundred short French poems, the majority which were ballads or rondels. A ransom of 80,000 livres and a promise to pay 140,000 crowns in future was agreed upon in July 1440, and he was released the following November, having spent over twenty years a well kept prisoner. Upon his release he married Maria von Kleve daughter of Adolf I Herzog von Kleve, and with her had one son. He died at Amboise at the age of 70. His son would succeed to the French throne as Louis XII.

Bio by: Iola