Charles II of Navarre
1332 - 1387), called "Charles the Bad," was King of Navarre, Count of Dreux (Comte d'Evreux), and Lord of Albret (Sire d'Albret).
Besides the Pyrenees Kingdom of Navarre, he had extensive properties in Normandy and around, as inheritance from his father Count Philip of Evreux, and as compensations agreed to his mother, queen Joan II of Navarre in exchange of her rights to the throne of France and her inherited rights to fiefs of Brie and Champagne. Thus, in Northern France, Charles possessed Evreux, Mortain, parts of Vexin, and a portion of Cotentin.
He hoped for a long time a restoration of their rights to the crown of France (as son of the daughter of King Louis X of France) - his mother had renounced those rights 1328 by a treaty with Philip VI of France in order to obtain Navarre and those concessions in Normandy.
charles intrigued much.
He married Joan of France (1343-1373), daughter of king John II of France.
He was implicated in the assassination (8 January 1354) of the constable of France, Charles d'Espagne (Charles de La Cerda). King John attacked thus Evreux and Navarre, but after alliance with the Black Prince, the Treaty of Mantes returned the peace, Charles enlarging his possessions. During certain stages of the Hundred Years' War, he was allied with the English.
In 1361, after the premature death of his second cousin, Duke Philip I of Burgundy, Charles claimed on basis of primogeniture to inherit the duchy of Burgundy. He was grandson of Margaret of Burgundy, eldest daughter of Duke Robert II of Burgundy (d 1306). However, the duchy was taken by king John II of France, son of Joan of Burgundy, second daughter of duke Robert II, on basis of his being nearest heir in degree of proximity.
He was the father of Joanna of Navarre, who married Henry IV of England, and Charles III of Navarre, who succeeded him.
