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Henry V’s Conquest of Normandy and the …

Years: 1419 - 1419
February

Henry V’s Conquest of Normandy and the Siege of Mont Saint-Michel (1419–1440)

Following his decisive capture of Rouen on January 20, 1419, Henry V of England quickly consolidated his control over Normandy, securing nearly the entire duchy. However, one key stronghold resisted English occupation—Mont Saint-Michel.

I. The English Conquest of Normandy (1419–1420)

  • With Rouen under English rule, Henry’s forces advanced unopposed, capturing the remaining Norman towns and castles.
  • By 1420, Henry controlled all of Normandy, with the exception of Mont Saint-Michel, which remained loyal to the French crown.
  • The Treaty of Troyes (1420) cemented Henry’s claim as heir to the French throne, further legitimizing English rule over Normandy.

II. The Resistance of Mont Saint-Michel

  • Mont Saint-Michel, a rocky island fortress, was one of the few places in France that never fell to the English.
  • Situated on the Norman coast, the monastery-stronghold was virtually impregnable, protected by natural tides, strong fortifications, and a determined garrison.
  • Henry’s forces blockaded the island, attempting to starve out the defenders rather than storming the heavily fortified site.

III. The Prolonged Blockade (1419–1440)

  • The English maintained a blockade for 21 years, attempting to cut off supplies and starve out the defenders.
  • Despite being isolated, French garrisons held out, occasionally receiving supplies by sea.
  • The French reconquest of Normandy (1436–1450) eventually led to the lifting of the blockade in 1440, securing Mont Saint-Michel as one of the last bastions of resistance against English rule.

IV. Consequences and Legacy

  • Mont Saint-Michel’s survival became a symbol of French resilience, proving that not all of Normandy had submitted to English rule.
  • The fortress remained a rallying point for French forces during the later phases of the Hundred Years’ War.
  • When France fully reconquered Normandy in 1450, Mont Saint-Michel stood as a reminder of French defiance and the limits of English occupation.

Although Henry V succeeded in capturing nearly all of Normandy, Mont Saint-Michel resisted for more than two decades, proving to be one of the greatest symbols of French resistance during the English occupation.

 

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