Much of the house of Plantagenet's early success in the second half of the Hundred Years' War was due to the cooperation of Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy. In retaliation for the murder of Philip's father by forces of the French claimant, as well as to further secure the power of the duchy, the Burgundians aided the Plantagenets in numerous encounters, most notably the capture of Joan of Arc.
However, in 1435, a peace conference at Arras went disastrously for Henry VI when Philip the Good reconciled with the Dauphin. Philip ceased his alliance with the English and recognized Charles VII as king of France, in exchange for Charles punishing his father's murderers, as well as remarkable concessions; he would be exempted from paying homage or rendering service to Charles VII until one of them died, making Burgundy virtually independent.
This agreement was pretty difficult to hammer out; what if the negotiations hadn't gone as well for the French? Despite recent French victories, it's still pretty near the peak of English control over mainland France. Could they have succeeded with continuing Burgundian aid, and placed a Plantagenet on the French throne? Additionally, what would have happened to Burgundy? They might have made the right choice in OTL; even if the Plantagenets won, they would just be another French king to control Burgundy, whereas with the concessions gained at Arras Philip and his son were almost able to establish Burgundy as a truly independent kingdom. Would Burgundy, including the wealthy Low Countries, be fully absorbed into the French state, whichever side won?
However, in 1435, a peace conference at Arras went disastrously for Henry VI when Philip the Good reconciled with the Dauphin. Philip ceased his alliance with the English and recognized Charles VII as king of France, in exchange for Charles punishing his father's murderers, as well as remarkable concessions; he would be exempted from paying homage or rendering service to Charles VII until one of them died, making Burgundy virtually independent.
This agreement was pretty difficult to hammer out; what if the negotiations hadn't gone as well for the French? Despite recent French victories, it's still pretty near the peak of English control over mainland France. Could they have succeeded with continuing Burgundian aid, and placed a Plantagenet on the French throne? Additionally, what would have happened to Burgundy? They might have made the right choice in OTL; even if the Plantagenets won, they would just be another French king to control Burgundy, whereas with the concessions gained at Arras Philip and his son were almost able to establish Burgundy as a truly independent kingdom. Would Burgundy, including the wealthy Low Countries, be fully absorbed into the French state, whichever side won?