1364-1365: Charles the Bad, the Treaty of Avignon, and the Evreux-Montpellier Exchange

After Cocherel, the Navarrese crisis did not vanish immediately. Charles V needed to convert battlefield success into durable political settlement.

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🗺️ Diplomacy as a Weapon

In 1364, Charles II of Navarre still pursued alliances and territorial bargaining that threatened Valois authority in both northern and southern theaters.

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✍️ March 1365: The Treaty of Avignon

Under the Treaty of Avignon (March 1365), Charles the Bad accepted abandoning strategic Lower Seine positions, especially around Evreux, in exchange for Montpellier.

The logic was geographic and political: remove a dangerous prince from fortresses near Paris and coronation routes.

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⚙️ Why the Evreux-Montpellier Exchange Mattered

For Charles V, the exchange was not merely territorial:

• Evreux gave direct leverage near Normandy and the capital;
• Montpellier shifted Navarrese influence farther south;
• the risk of rapid coalition with English support and mercenary captains was reduced.

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📌 Medium-Term Effects

• The Navarrese threat persisted, but with weaker Norman leverage.
• The crown gained time to reorganize finance and military structures.
• Charles V confirmed a pragmatic approach: avoid unnecessary battle when political repositioning could reduce risk.

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🧠 To Remember

• After Cocherel, Charles V pursued diplomatic neutralization of Navarre.
• The treaty’s core objective was strategic displacement, not symbolic compromise.