This volume of Froissart's Chronicles picks up at a critical moment: 1380. The wise King Charles V of France has just died, leaving the throne to his twelve-year-old son, Charles VI. The kingdom instantly becomes a prize fought over by the boy's powerful uncles—the dukes of Anjou, Berry, Burgundy, and Bourbon. They're supposed to guide the young king, but they're more interested in grabbing power and money for themselves, imposing heavy taxes that hit the common people hard.

The Story

The book follows two parallel threads of chaos. First, we see the infighting at the top, as the royal dukes scheme and manipulate the young king. Second, and far more explosively, we witness the rage building in cities like Paris and Rouen. The people, crushed by taxes and seeing corruption everywhere, finally snap. In Paris, this leads to the Maillotin revolt, where rioters storm the city arsenal, arm themselves with lead mallets (maillots), and take to the streets. Froissart chronicles the fear of the authorities, the boldness of the rebels, and the violent, messy crackdown that follows. It's a story about a fragile government and a population pushed to its breaking point.

Why You Should Read It

What makes this so compelling is Froissart's perspective. He talked to people on all sides, and it shows. You get the anxiety of the merchants, the fury of the craftsmen, and the calculated coldness of the nobles trying to put the genie back in the bottle. It reads less like a dry history and more like urgent political reporting. The themes are instantly recognizable: the disconnect between rulers and the ruled, the danger of greedy regents, and how quickly public order can unravel. You're not just learning what happened; you're feeling the tension of a society on the edge.

Final Verdict

This is for anyone who loves real political thrillers or gritty historical fiction. If you enjoy the machinations in 'Game of Thrones' but want to see how they actually happened, Froissart is your source. It's perfect for history buffs who want to move beyond kings and battles to understand the social pressures that shaped events. Be prepared for a dense read—it's a primary source, after all—but one that offers an unmatched, street-level view of a medieval crisis. You'll come away thinking how little the basics of power and protest have really changed.