Young Charles was fond of the fact that he was the first in the Capetian dynasty who was actually named after Charlemagne. He was also born to Louis after Louis became king, meaning he was the only son of Louis actually born "to the purple."
Youngest royal sons often had nothing to inherit—no land and no titles—and therefore were placed in powerful ecclesiastical positions (whether they were trained or interested). His education included what a good priest would know: he would understand Catholic doctrine and be literate. He learned about medicine and law, and he enjoyed poetry (the illustration shows him depicted in a manuscript of one of his songs). Much of this took place away from his family, at the court of his brother, Count Robert I of Artois, who was about 10 years older.
Charles would have been put into a church role, but along came Beatrice of Provence, who was a few years younger.
Beatrice was the youngest daughter of the Count of Provence, and like Charles likely would have been destined for a convent. Her father had found very good marriages for his three elder daughters (they all became queens) and, since they were all provided for, he left his title to Beatrice. His death would make Beatrice the owner of the counties of Provence and Forcalquier.
Suddenly, Beatrice was a prize for any man, and several powerful men took steps to gain her hand (and tracts of land) in marriage. She was also considered a great beauty. (There is much more to this story, but we're going to focus on Charles right now.) Suffice it to say that the two were married in 1246, the year after her father died and she became wealthy.
Charles set out to control the two counties as the Count by right of marriage, but clashed with the nobility and Beatrice's mother, Beatrice of Savoy. This was to be his first taste of trying to rule those who did not want to be ruled, and his motivation to become ruthless in the future.
More on his problem with Provence and his mother-in-law tomorrow.
