Description

Denier of Charles III of Valois (1290–1317), struck for the County of Maine. Variety with two fleurs-de-lis and two trefoils on the reverse.

Charles of Valois (1290–1317) was a prince of the Capetian dynasty, son of King Philip III the Bold and brother of King Philip IV the Fair. A prominent member of the royal family, he played an important role in the politics of the Kingdom of France at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries.

Ambitious and energetic, Charles of Valois took part in numerous military and diplomatic ventures, seeking to extend his influence both in France and abroad. He notably claimed several crowns, including those of Aragon and Sicily, though he never succeeded in securing them on a lasting basis. Nevertheless, his actions were instrumental in strengthening the prestige and power of the Capetian house.

Charles of Valois is best known as the father of King Philip VI, the first ruler of the Valois dynasty, which ascended to the throne of France in 1328. As such, he holds an essential place in the history of the French monarchy, serving as the link between the direct Capetians and the new Valois lineage.