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John de Valois, King of France, was named King after the last son of King Philip le Bew (le Bel) died. 

Haughty, overly self-assured, and rather a snob, he is nevertheless a genuinely brave man when he has his back to the wall. His own arrogance puts him in that position perhaps more often than strictly necessary, but his defiance of Edward’s invasion does make some rather good points. Beaten time and again in battle, he is overly optimistic about the likelihood of a French victory, bouncing back from defeat and misinterpreting prophecies to suit his hopes. He has the instincts of a good leader, he insists on reassuring his troops no matter how he feels himself when his confidence is shaken by more portents. Unfortunately, he cannot back up either these instincts or his quite genuine qualities with any military abilities. He is also wrathful, choleric, and authoritarian, willing to break all the rules of chivalry when he is in a temper with no care for the honor of his lords. He refuses to the end to admit that Edward has any justice on his side.

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