Assassination of Louis of Valois, Duke of Orléans

On November 20, 1407, a pivotal event in French history unfolded when Louis of Valois, Duke of Orléans, was assassinated in Paris. This murder significantly influenced the internal political dynamics of France during a volatile period known as the Armagnac-Burgundian Civil War.

Key Figures

• John the Fearless: Duke of Burgundy, who orchestrated the assassination. A shrewd politician, John sought to expand his influence over the French Crown and viewed Louis as a primary rival.
• Louis of Valois: Duke of Orléans and brother to King Charles VI of France. Known for his ambition and considerable influence at court, particularly during the periods of Charles VI’s frequent bouts of madness.

Context Leading to the Assassination

By the early 15th century, France was plagued by internal strife, exacerbated by the ongoing Hundred Years’ War with England. King Charles VI’s mental instability led to a power vacuum and intensified rivalries among the French nobility. Louis, as the king’s brother, wielded significant power, which often conflicted with John the Fearless and his Burgundian faction.

The rivalry reached its peak as both parties sought control over the young Prince Charles (later King Charles VII). The tension was not merely political but also deeply personal, as both dukes engaged in mutual animosity and power struggles.

The Assassination

On the night of November 20, 1407, Louis of Valois was ambushed and brutally murdered by hired assassins on the Rue Vieille du Temple in Paris. The attack was ordered by John the Fearless, who had devised the plot to eliminate his rival.

Aftermath and Consequences

• Civil War Outbreak: The assassination sparked a bloody civil conflict between two factions: the Armagnacs, supporters of the Orléans family and their allies, and the Burgundians, led by John and his supporters. This civil war would severely weaken France, disrupting its social fabric and exacerbating the struggle against English invasions.
• Impact on the French Throne: The internal discord heavily influenced the political landscape, complicating the governance of France and undermining the royal authority of Charles VI, whose reign was marked by factional division.
• Long-term Effects: The civil war diminished France’s ability to effectively repel English advances during the later phases of the Hundred Years’ War, contributing to significant territorial losses before the tide turned under leadership figures like Joan of Arc.

The assassination of Louis of Orléans laid bare the vulnerabilities of the French monarchy during one of Europe’s most tumultuous periods, highlighting the dangerous interplay between personal enmity and political ambition in shaping historical trajectories.