The end of the 100YW

The end of the Hundred Years War

Henry VI was nine months old when his father, Henry V died on 31 August 1422. Control of the government fell to Henry V's brothers: John, Duke of Bedford and Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester.

John, Duke of Bedford with the help of Thomas Montagu, Earl of Salisbury took command of English operations in France and consolidated English control of the North and West of the country.

England's greatest victory in this phase of the war was at the Battle of Verneuil, 17 August 1424.
Although heavily outnumbered, an English army led by the Duke of Bedford (wielding a battle axe in the front line) defeated a combined French and Scottish force. The Duc d'Aumale and the Earls of Buchan and Douglas were killed.

Charles VII continued to hold most of central and southern France, apart from Gascony.

	In 1428-29, the English laid siege to Orléans but failed to take the city. Joan of Arc's inspirational leadership helped turn the tide in favor of Charles VII. The retreating English army was mauled at the Battle of Patay (June 1429) and John Talbot, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury was captured.
	Joan was captured by England's Burgundian allies (June 1430,) found guilty of heresy by Bishop Pierre Cauchon, and executed (30 May 1431.)

	The execution of Joan of Arc did not restore English fortunes.
	In exchange for land in the Picardy area, Philip of Burgundy agreed to a separate peace with France in the Treaty of Arras (September 1435.) That same month, the Duke of Bedford died at Rouen. His death removed the only English nobleman with the ability and prestige to pursue the war in France effectively.
	The French continued to advance and recapture towns - including Paris, but both sides were exhausted and agreed to a two-year truce in the Treaty of Tours (1444.) This treaty arranged for the marriage of the young Henry VI to Margaret of Anjou (a niece by marriage of Charles VII.)

	England's problems were compounded by domestic division. Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, who was governing as regent was a strong advocate of continuing the war in France. But other noblemen - led by Henry Beaufort, Cardinal Bishop of Winchester (son of John of Gaunt by Catherine Swynford) were equally convinced that England could no longer afford the war.
	The French resumed their attacks and re-conquered Normandy (1449-1450,) skillfully combining the use of cavalry and artillery at the Battle of Formigny (April 1450.)
	In 1451, the French took Gascony. The Gascons themselves much preferred English rule and in 1452 the citizens of Bordeaux expelled the French garrison and welcomed an expeditionary force from England. In July 1453 at the Battle of Castillon, the English though lacking sufficient strength, launched an attack on a well-prepared French army equipped with effective artillery. Large numbers of English were captured and the rest of Gascony soon fell. This was effectively the last battle in the Hundred Years War.
	The only French territory remaining to the English was Calais. The profitable wine trade with Gascony was seriously disrupted and England suffered a sudden influx of disbanded, disappointed soldiers.