Editing John II of France (section)

===Prisoner of the English===
{{Main|Ransom of King John II of France}}
[[File:Jean le Bon letter from Windsor to his son Charles about Pierre de la Batut.jpg|thumb|Letter of Jean le Bon during his captivity in [[Windsor, Berkshire|Windsor]], to his son [[Charles V of France|Charles]] about Pierre de la Batut]]
[[File:Franc a cheval de Jean le Bon 5 decembre 1360 or 3730mg.jpg|thumb|The first [[franc]] ever minted, the "Franc à cheval", was minted upon Jean le Bon's return from captivity from 5 December 1360, and featured combative imagery. Gold, 24 [[Carat (purity)|karat]], 3.73g. Its weight is the account value of one [[livre tournois]].]]

As a prisoner of the English, John was granted royal privileges that permitted him to travel about and enjoy a regal lifestyle. At a time when law and order was breaking down in France and the government was having a hard time raising money for the defence of the realm, his account books during his captivity show that he was purchasing horses, pets, and clothes while maintaining an astrologer and a court band.