Treaty of Paris (1259)

The Treaty of Paris (also known as the Treaty of Albeville) was a treaty between Louis IX of France and Henry III of England, agreed to on 4 December 1259, ending 100 years of conflicts between the Capetian and Plantagenet dynasties.

For other treaties of Paris, see Treaty of Paris (disambiguation).
Ratification of the Treaty of Paris by Henry III, 13 October 1259.
Archives Nationales (France).

History

In 1204, Philip II of France had forced King John out of continental Normandy enforcing his 1202 claim that the lands were forfeit. Despite the 1217 Treaty of Lambeth, hostilities continued between the successive Kings of France and England until 1259.

Under the Treaty, Henry acknowledged loss of the Duchy of Normandy. However, Philip had failed in his attempts to occupy the Norman islands in the Channel. The treaty held that "islands (if any) which the King of England should hold", he would retain "as peer of France and Duke of Aquitaine"[1] (these islands came to be collectively called the Channel Islands, consisting of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and some smaller islands).

Henry agreed to renounce control of Maine, Anjou and Poitou, which had been lost under the reign of King John, but remained Duke of Aquitaine and was able to keep the lands of Gascony and parts of Aquitaine, but only as a vassal to Louis.

In exchange, Louis withdrew his support for English rebels. He also ceded to Henry the bishoprics and cities of Limoges, Cahors and Périgueux and was to pay an annual rent for possession of Agenais.[2]

Aftermath

Doubts about interpreting the Treaty began almost as soon as it was signed.[3] The agreement resulted in the fact that the English kings had to pay homage liege to the French monarchs for territories on the continent. The situation did not help the friendly relationship between the two states, as it made two sovereigns of equal powers in their countries in fact unequal. According to professor Malcolm Vale, the Treaty of Paris was one of the indirect causes of the Hundred Years' War.

See also

References
  1. Summaries of Judgments, Advisory Opinions and Orders of the International Court of Justice: Minquiers and Ecrehos Case Judgment of 17 November 1953
  2. Harry Rothwell (Editor) English Historical Documents 1189-1327, Routledge, 1996, ISBN 0-415-14368-3
  3. p130, Hersch Lauterpacht, Volume 20 of International Law Reports, Cambridge University Press, 1957, ISBN 0-521-46365-3
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