Chapter 6 : News from Outre-Manche
April 1325,
King John was playing outside Vincennes Castle with other children. His mother had agreed that he could play with the noblemen children until supper. They did some races and play tag. But his Grace was interrupted in his leisure’s by his chamberlain Jean de Beaumont who was much more a tough soldier, than a man of refined tastes.
«-My King, you must come with me at once!, said Jean de Beaumont
-By what orders, my lord chamberlain, replied the king not happy to be disturbed
- By order of your mother, the Dowager Queen, she requests immediately your presence for some serious matters! »
The King was beginning to think, that after all, he wasn't at all a simple toddler playing and reading all day, but that he was a king and as a king, he had responsibilities to assume and a kingdom to rule.
«-Well, then my Lord Chamberlain, I am ready to follow you. »
The King arrived with his dutiful servant and was reprimanded by his mother.
«-John, il ne sied point aux Rois de France de se salir et se paître dans la boue comme des porcs !, said his mother.
-I know Mother, sorry about that, replied John
- Now go fetch new clothes, you are awaiting visit.
-From whom?
-From your uncle of Poitiers and your cousins of England, your aunt Isabella and Edward, Prince of Wales
- Really!
- Yes, my boy and now go prepare yourself.
Indeed, John’s cousins came from England to France to appease tensions between the two kingdoms. And there was tension, Edward II avoided paying homage to King Louis X , John’s father, now he refused to pay homage to the Regent in the name of the King of France, insisting that the King of England could only pay homage to the King only and the King was still a minor and thus, for Edward, unable to receive homage. Philippe proposed the King of England pay homage to him just like the Count of Flanders did in 1320. But Edward again refused telling that the Regent of France was not the King of France. Philippe was furious; he authorized his uncle of Valois to send an embassy to England in order to betroth Edward, Prince of Wales and Marie of Valois, in a last effort to ease diplomatic relations. But the ambassadors were captured by the Scots and France had to pay a ransom to his…ally. The Regent saw no other solution than the confiscation of Guyenne.
But meanwhile, in England relations were strained now this time between the King and his barons. The English nobles didn't like Edward II favorites, first Piers Gaveston now Hugh Despenser and his family. Isabella was inclined to the baron’s side and the King knew it. So he kept watch of her spending and even her alms, gave all the fine dishes and jewels from her dowry to the Despensers.
She felt alone in this country, abandoned by France. Her father had given her to a foreign king, who humiliated her every day of her life and her brothers didn't care so much about her. But she remembered the words of her father:
« I didn't marry you to a man, Isabelle, but to a king. I didn't sacrifice you by error. Is to you that I have to teach that we kings , are born to rule realms and not to pity ourselves from our destiny. We do not live for our own lives, but for the survival of our kingdoms, it is the only way to be content with ourselves, if we follow our destiny…»
She remembered those words of his father, the only man she ever trusted in her whole life. But now, she believed that she will soon have an opportunity to prove herself a Queen, worthy of the name.
Meanwhile, in France, Philippe who used all his cards felt that the time of words was over. What a paradox for a man who has as motto: « J’ai toujours préféré la diplomatie aux armes».(1)
On spring 1324, the Regent of France orders to his Constable, Gaucher de Châtillon, to raise l’ost royal and in front of the Court of Peers he declares:
« Nous, Philippe de Potiers, Régent de France confisquons à nostre vassal, Édouard Roi d’Angleterre, la duché de Guyenne, qu’il tient de nous pour défaut d’hommage et nous relâchons de leur serments prêtés au dits roi tous les habitants, seigneurs, bourgs, abbayes et sénéchaux, car leur maître a rompu et violé toutes lois et usages du droit féodal. Nous l’invitions ci-tôt à se présenter devant nostre Cour pour régler ses offenses et pour avoir son cas jugé. Ainsi j’ai dit.» (2)
Learning this Edward II; send out his brother Edmund, Earl of Kent, to repel the French with some 300 English volunteers. But when he arrives, he finds out that the duchy’s defenses are poor with the help of some Gascon lords his troops amount to 1000 men not very well trained but eager to fight. Philippe of Poitiers arrives there on summer 1324 with 8000 men and he is awaiting reinforcements from his brother Charles, Count of la Marche and Bigorre and from Gaston II Count of Foix. The Regent also got something new in this campaign train: artillery imported from Italy and yes it seems Philippe didn't only made improvements in the finances but also in the army and have made contact with some Italian armorers about the latest military inventions.
The campaign is an easy one and several towns are captured and Kent knows that he cannot afford to fight the French in an open field battle. So he contents himself with ambushes and skirmishes. He also sends several messages to his brother to bring reinforcements or to open a second front perhaps. But he receives no answers so he decides to strike hard the French with a surprise attack on their encampment near La Réole, but Poitiers is not a great warrior but an excellent organizer and regularly inspects his sentinels who are hailed from his troops. Kent tries to attack, after a first initial success he soon found himself surrounded by the French army and he is forced to retreat in the fortress of La Réole. The battle of la Réole was a short one with no clear winner but the losses are light on each side.
On August 1324, the siege begins. For the first time, artillery fire is heard in France. The damages to the castle are high. Kent keeps sending messages to England, but with no answers. The siege closes the fluvial supply line to Bordeaux, not to mention that Aquitaine take his income from its wineries and with autumn approaching there is a risk that there will be no harvest, so the grapes will rot . The inhabitants are becoming more nervous and tired of the war. On September 1324, Kent surrenders and become a hostage of the Regent. Philippe returns to Paris while his Constable stays in Guyenne to oversee the territory which is now under the King’s direct administration. The Regent is confident that this short campaign will bring Edward to the negotiation table.
King Edward II learns the news of the defeat. He cannot continues to wage a war on France when the Scots are threatening, his barons can revolt against him at any moment, he also cannot afford to leave the country for the same reasons, but who will then ?
(1). John, playing in mud like a pig does not fit a King of France !
(2). I have always favored diplomacy over weapons
(3). We, Philippe of Poitiers, Regent of France confiscate to our vassal, Edward King of England, the duchy of Guyenne which he hold from us because of failing to pay his homage and we relax all the inhabitants, lords, towns, abbeys and seneschals from their oaths of alliegience to their master, because he broke and violated all the laws and customs of the feudal law. We invite him to present himself in our Court to resolve his offences and have his case ruled. So I have said .
