Estates General, April 1357
The Estates-General was the national of France. It had three ‘estates’ representing the nobility, clergy and commons. Like the English system, the King and his Council went through the body to acquire the subsidies and…
Great Chevauchee of 1373
Appointment of an administrator to record ransoms, loot and other gains won by the campaign of John of Gaunt: 30 March 1373 In 1373 a campaign was planned that would see a large force led…
Edward III adopts title King of France
On 26th January 1340 King Edward III of England assumed the title of King of France. It was an assertion by English monarchs that was to remain in place throughout the Hundred Years War and…
Date by which Le Mans was to be handed to the French
The Treaty of Tours (1444) had seen England promise to cede lands to the French. This was part of the agreement that saw Margaret of Anjou, the French King’s niece through marriage, marry King Henry…
English Ports sealed and writs of passage cancelled
All English Ports were sealed, and all writs of passage collected on 14th January 1388. The period was turbulent in England. In November 1386 a number of senior nobles, known now as the Lords Appellant, had…
Marriage of John of Gaunt to Katherine Swynford
The marriage of John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III to Katherine Swynford on 13th January 1396 was unannounced and rather controversial. John of Gaunt’s role within government John was a son of King…
Proctors act as literates for John Burgill, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield
In 1401 many men of high status were faced with dilemma. Men who had been strongly associated with the previous regime, there was a question mark over their loyalty to the new regime. This uncertainty…
John the Fearless arranged a meeting with the Dauphin
After years of conflict and division, attempts to reconcile the Burgundians and supporters of the Dauphin had been made at the highest levels by the late summer of 1419. The divisions were deep, having resulted…
Fall of Romorantin to Edward of Woodstock’s men
Fall of Romorantin to Edward of Woodstock’s men Edward of Woodstock, Prince of Wales, had launched his campaign from Gascony. Using the chevauchee approach, he attacked Limousin and Berry. His scouts then reported the presence…
Correspondence regarding Crecy
Letter from Richard Wynkeley, regarding the Battle of Crecy A week after the Battle of Crécy the English had reached Bologne. Here, the English had time to take stock of what had occurred in the…