In Spain two brothers, Peter the Cruel and Henry of Transtamare, were disputing the throne of Castile.

Shortly after the accession of Charles V., and in spite of his lively remonstrances, in 1267, Pope Urban V.quitted Avignon for Rome, whence he was not to return to Avignon till three years afterwards, and then only to die.

The Emperor of Germany was, at this period, almost the only one of the great sovereigns of Europe who showed for France and her kings a sincere good will.

When, in 1378, he went to Paris to pay a visit to Charles V., he was pleased to go to St.Denis to see the tombs of Charles the Handsome and Philip of Valois.

"In my young days," he said to the abbot, "I was nurtured at the homes of those good kings, who showed me much kindness; I do request you affectionately to make good prayer to God for them." Charles V., who had given him a very friendly reception, was, no doubt, included in this pious request.
In order to maintain the struggle against these difficulties, within and without, the means which Charles V.