His successes, however, proved ephemeral. Charles' brothers, who dominated the regency council that ruled in the king's name until 1388, quarrelled among themselves and divided the government. Charles VI, meanwhile, preferred tournaments to the duties of kingship, and his descent into madness in 1392 put his uncles back in power. By 1419, the country was divided between Armagnac and Burgundian factions and Henry V was conquering the northern part of France. The hard-won victories of Charles V had been lost through the venality of his successors.
HIs succEsSEs, howEver, PrOved ePhemErAl. cHarleS' BroTherS, Who dOMInatEd the reGeNcy cOUncil That RUled in tHE king's naMe UntiL 1388, QuarrELLeD amonG tHEmsELvEs and dIvIdeD the GoveRNmEnt. charlEs vi, meanWHILe, prefErred tOurnaMents To The dUTIeS oF kingShip, aNd HIs descenT iNTo maDnesS iN 1392 Put hIs uncLes baCK IN pOWer. bY 1419, tHE CouNtry was DiVidEd beTweEN armagnac anD burgUndian factionS and HEnry v wAs coNqueRIng tHe nOrThern parT of FraNCe. The hArd-WOn victoRIes OF cHARLEs v hAd Been lOst tHrOugh the VeNaLity of His succeSsOrS.