King of France (?) who gave himself up voluntarily to the English and died in England?

Question

I seem to remember reading a few years ago about a King of France (?) who agreed to surrender himself to the English if he was unable to fulfil an agreement. When the terms could not be fulfilled he gave himself up to the English and died in London. Any idea who this might have been and the circumstances behind this?

This is not a trick question. Could it have been another ruler? I seem to remember that he was simply succeeded in his native country by the next in line to the Throne.

Answer 1

This is a bit of a trick question - all the Kings of England and Great Britain from 1422 to 1801 claimed they were also the King of France.

Answer 2

Yes, it was King Jean, captured by the English at Poitiers. I wouldn't be so sure "voluntarily" came into it though! For any other questions you may have about French/English relationships in the "calamitous 14th century" read Barbara Tuchman's terrific history of the times "A Distant Mirror".

Answer 3

King John II of France captured at the battle of Poitiers 1356. He was taken to England, returned to France to raise his ransom, and returned to England having failed to do so (this would be the surrendered voluntarily bit in your question) and died here in 1364. This was during the reign of our King Edward III.

Answer 4

Hi,I have searched all over & cannot find a King of France who died in England under the circumstances you have stated.Will keep looking.

Answer 5

You must be thinking of king John II.

Answer 6

Are you sure you're not thinking about Napoleon III who retired to England when the French got fed up of him.

Answer 7

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_French_monarchs