Enguerrand is a powerful French nobleman born into a world beset by the Little Ice Age and the beginnings of the Hundred Years' War. Orphaned at a young age after his mother succumbs to the bubonic plague, he inherits one of France's four great baronies. He operates as an exceptionally skilled knight and diplomat, standing apart from his peers through his pragmatic approach to warfare and governance. His marriage to an English princess grants him a complicated double allegiance between the warring crowns of France and England.

Jean II is the King of France during the early, disastrous phases of the Hundred Years' War. Fixated on outdated chivalric ideals and personal glory, his leadership directly contributes to catastrophic French military defeats. He alienates the nobility through arbitrary executions and poor administration, leaving his kingdom vulnerable to English raids and internal rebellion.

Charles V succeeds his father as the King of France, bringing a completely different temperament to the throne. Highly intellectual and pragmatic, he prefers ruling from his chambers rather than charging into battle. He implements a successful strategy of attrition against the English, slowly regaining French territory while working to stabilize the nation's economy and culture.

Formerly known as Robert of Geneva, Clement VII becomes the French-backed Anti-Pope in Avignon, officially triggering the Papal Schism. He functions more as a secular prince and military commander than a spiritual leader. Dependent on French political and financial backing, he uses his office to wage war and advance the strategic aims of his secular patrons.

Etienne Marcel is the Provost of Merchants in Paris, acting as a powerful representative of the bourgeois class. During the chaotic power vacuum in France, he attempts to impose constitutional limits on the monarchy through the Grand Ordinance. When his initial legal methods fail, he turns to mob violence and radical alliances in a desperate bid to maintain his authority.

Charles the Bad is a French prince and the King of Navarre who possesses a legitimate claim to the French throne. He operates as an agent of pure political chaos, constantly shifting alliances between the French monarchy, the English forces, and popular uprisings. He orchestrates assassinations and conspiracies solely to advance his personal ambition and wealth.

Edward III is the King of England whose dynastic claims and territorial ambitions initiate a century of brutal warfare with France. A successful military commander, he utilizes the longbow to devastating effect against traditional French cavalry. He recognizes the strategic value of political marriages, using his family ties to secure advantages on the continent.

Isabella is the eldest and favorite daughter of King Edward III. Older than typical brides of her station when she finally marries, she is accustomed to wealth, independence, and extravagance. Her marriage to a French lord serves her father's political aims, but she consistently prefers the comforts of the English court over her husband's estates in France.

The eldest son of King Edward III, the Black Prince is a famed English military commander. He executes ruthless, profit-driven raids known as chevauchées across the French countryside. While celebrated in England for his martial prowess, his campaigns bring widespread terror and economic ruin to civilian populations.

Charles VI becomes King of France following the death of his pragmatic father. Though he eventually dismisses his uncles to take direct control of the government, his reign is tragically derailed by severe, recurring bouts of mental illness. His physical and psychological collapse creates a power vacuum that plunges the French court into bitter factional violence.

The Duc d'Anjou is one of the ambitious brothers of Charles V. He briefly seizes power alongside his brothers during a regency, prioritizing personal wealth over state stability. He later embarks on a disastrous military campaign in Italy to press a claim to the Kingdom of Naples.

The Duc de Berry is another of Charles V's brothers. He is notorious for his compulsive acquisition of art and luxury goods, funding his lavish lifestyle through oppressive taxation in his administered provinces. His corruption ultimately provokes investigations from the crown.

The Duc de Burgundy is a powerful French noble and brother to Charles V. He acts as a dominant force in French politics, repeatedly seizing control of the government during his nephew's bouts of madness. He sponsors grand, ill-fated military ventures to project his own power.

The Duc d'Orléans is the younger brother of Charles VI. He frequently clashes with the Duke of Burgundy for control of the kingdom as the king's mental state deteriorates. He is heavily involved in purchasing vast estates and promoting ambitious foreign military ventures.

The 24-year-old son of the Duke of Burgundy, Jean is given command of a massive crusading army despite his lack of experience. His leadership is marked by arrogance and an inability to control the reckless impulses of the French knights under his banner.

Originally chosen because the cardinals believe they can easily control him, Pope Urban VI unexpectedly transforms into an abusive and uncompromising authoritarian upon taking office. His harsh treatment of the French cardinals directly provokes them to elect a rival pope, beginning the Papal Schism.

Enguerrand VI is the former lord of Coucy. He dies in military service against the English, leaving his young son to inherit the family's massive barony and formidable castle.

Catherine is a noblewoman whose marriage to Enguerrand VI cements an important dynastic alliance. She tragically falls victim to the bubonic plague during its first sweep across Europe.

Marie is the eldest daughter of Enguerrand de Coucy and Isabella of England. Her birth represents a living bridge between two warring kingdoms. Her later marriage into the house of Bar serves to further secure her father's political alliances.

Philippa is the younger daughter of Enguerrand de Coucy and Isabella. She eventually resides in England, where her controversial marriage to a royal favorite sparks massive political outrage among the English nobility.

Robert de Vere is the ninth earl of Oxford and a close confidant to the English king. His scandalous decision to abandon his wife Philippa angers the powerful royal uncles and provokes a violent political backlash that ultimately ends in his exile.