Charles de la Cerda

This article is about the 14th-century nobleman. For the general who fought in the Peninsular War, see Charles d'Espagne (1775–1839).

Charles de la Cerda
150px Arms of the House de la Cerda
Count of Angoulême
Reign	1350-1354
Predecessor	Joan of Navarre
Successor	John I de Berry
Constable of France
Reign	1350-1354
Predecessor	Raoul II, Count of Eu
Successor	James I, Count of Ponthieu
Born	1327
Died	8 January 1354 L'Aigle
House	House of la Cerda
Father	Alfonso de la Cerda of Spain
Mother	Isabelle d'Antoing
Religion	Roman Catholicism

Charles de la Cerda, commonly known as Charles of Spain (French: Charles d'Espagne) (1327 – 8 January 1354), was a Franco-Castilian nobleman and soldier, the son of Alfonso de la Cerda of Spain (died 1327) and Isabelle d'Antoing, and grandson of Alfonso de la Cerda the disinherited (1270–1333). He was a distant cousin of John II of France.

A boyhood companion and favorite of John while he was Duke of Normandy, Charles commanded the Castilian galleys at the Battle of L'Espagnols-sur-Mer, where he was defeated by Edward III of England after a long and desperate struggle. Soon after John's accession to the throne, he was appointed Constable of France, filling the vacancy left by the execution of Raoul II, Count of Eu, and created Count of Angoulême. Vacant since the death of Joan II of Navarre in 1349, the title to Angoulême was claimed by her son, Charles II, King of Navarre, who bitterly resented La Cerda's preferment. In 1351, Charles de la Cerda married Marguerite, a daughter of Charles, Duke of Brittany.

In 1354, Charles of Navarre and several members of his household set upon and slew de la Cerda in an inn in L'Aigle. The repercussions of this murder led to a continuous state of instability within France that was only resolved upon the accession of Charles V in 1364.

Sources

French nobility
Vacant Title last held by Joan	Count of Angoulême 1350–1354	Vacant Title next held by John I
Political offices
Vacant Title last held by Raoul II, Count of Eu	Constable of France 1350–1354	Vacant Title next held by James I, Count of Ponthieu