1357–1358: The Estates General, Étienne Marcel, and the Paris Crisis
p5John II the Good: Captivity, Internal Crisis, and the Treaty of Brétigny (1350–1364) · HIGH MIDDLE AGES
After Poitiers, the king’s absence raises a burning question: who controls taxes and the reform of the state? The Estates General attempt to impose oversight of government, while Paris becomes the epicenter of contestation.
🏙️ Étienne Marcel and the “Common Good”
The provost of merchants Étienne Marcel embodies urban pressure: obtaining guarantees on currency, taxes, and the accountability of counselors. The Paris crisis shows that the war has politicized cities, which demand counterparts for their financial effort.
👑 The Dauphin Charles Facing Factions
The Dauphin must govern in balance: maintaining royal authority without breaking with the social forces capable of paralyzing the capital. In this period, princely rivalries worsen the crisis and make political reconstruction more difficult.
🧠 To Remember
- The Estates General seek to control reform and finances.
- Paris becomes a central political actor during the king’s captivity.