In 1422, Charles VI, the Mad King of France, died from insanity, leaving a weakened France to its English enemy. Shortly, Charles VII ascended the throne. At the old king’s funeral, a chant echoed — “The King is dead, long live the King!”Charles VICharles VIIThe seemingly contradictory phrase simultaneously announces the death of the previous monarch and celebrates the advent of a new one. The divine transfer of power was completed with the proclamation, after which Charles VII lived up to th...
