ohn II (1319-64), known as ‘the Good’ - ‘the Generous’ - became king of France in 1350. Being hard pressed by the king of Navarre and the English, and accused of maladministration of the finances, he surrendered the management of them to the States-general. Defeated at Poitiers (1356), he was taken prisoner to England, but returned after the treaty of Bretigny (1360). But the Duke of Anjou, whom he left as hostage, having fled, John thought it his duty to go back to England, where he finished his days. [World Wide Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1935]

John II (of France), in French, Jean II, called The Good (1319-64), king of France (1350-64), the son of King Phillip VI. During his reign he debased the coinage to raise funds for the Hundred Years' War. John was captured in 1356 by Edward, the Black Prince, at the Battle of Poitiers and was imprisoned in England. His son Charles, later Charles V, acted as regent during his captivity. John was returned to France in 1360 to raise his ransom under the terms of the Peace of Brétigny. Because he was unsuccessful in collecting the 3 million crowns required, in 1364 John honorably resumed his captivity in England, where he died. [Microsoft Encarta 98 Encyclopedia]

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