December 3, 1368 – Birthdate of Charles VI of France

Charles VI was known both as “Charles the Well-loved” and later as “Charles the Mad,” since, beginning in his mid-twenties, he experienced bouts of psychosis. These fits of madness would recur for the rest of his life. Based on his symptoms, it is thought that he probably suffered from schizophrenia.

Charles VI’s reign was marked by the continuing war with the English known as the Hundred Years’ War. An early attempt at peace occurred in 1396 when Charles’ daughter, the not quite seven-year-old Isabella of Valois, was given in marriage to the 29-year-old Richard II of England. The marriage is known to have been “childless” but that assumes you don’t count the bride.

Today, we still have a remembrance of Charles VI in our daily lives, although most people aren’t aware of it. He gave sole rights for the aging of Roquefort cheese to the village of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, and all Roquefort must still be aged in the caves there today.

And tell the truth: doesn’t it seem like, when you encounter Roquefort cheese, that it must date from around 1368?