Charles II of Navarre, also known as Charles the Bad, died in a famously horrific and gruesome way on 1 January 1387.
During his life Charles earned his nickname for various reasons.
Charles was infamous for constantly switching allegiances during the Hundred Years’ War. He played France and England against each other to try to increase his power, especially in Normandy (where he had land). Neither side could fully trust him—he’d make a treaty with one and then turn around and scheme with the other.
He was directly involved in several high-profile murders. Most famously, he had Charles de la Cerda, the Constable of France, assassinated in 1354—essentially a top military officer and close advisor to the French king. That killing caused a massive political crisis.
He also allegedly tried to poison King John II of France more than once. Poison was his go-to move—there are multiple rumors he ran something like a poison lab in his castle, and he’d try to wipe out rivals that way.
Even in a violent age, his cruelty stood out. His own subjects in Navarre didn’t like him much; his rule was marked by heavy taxes and personal enrichment. At one point, he sold off some of his kingdom’s rights and properties just to raise money for his ambitions abroad.
Charles often sparked unrest just to weaken his enemies. He encouraged revolts, riots, and even uprisings—like the Jacquerie, a peasant revolt in France in 1358. Although he often pretended to support the people, mostly used the chaos for political gain.
Basically, he was clever, ambitious, and ruthless—but ultimately self-serving and destructive.
And the way he died? People at the time saw it as poetic justice.
In the final days of his life, Charles was gravely ill—possibly from ulcers or some debilitating disease. As part of a medical treatment of the time, his body was wrapped in cloth soaked in brandy or spirits to keep him warm or stimulate circulation. After he was wrapped up like this, a servant was supposed to sew the cloth closed, but didn’t have scissors and instead used a candle to burn the thread and tie it off.
Unfortunately, the alcohol-soaked sheets caught fire, and Charles was burned alive in his bed. Because he was already ill and essentially immobilized, he couldn’t escape. It’s said he burned to death slowly and painfully.
Chroniclers of the time seized on the event, calling it divine punishment for his treachery and cruelty—he had a reputation for plotting against allies, betrayal, and violence.