The March to Reims: The French Advance …
Years: 1429 - 1429
The March to Reims: The French Advance Under Joan of Arc (June–July 1429)
Following the decisive victory at Patay (June 18, 1429), Joan of Arc and the French army set out from Gien on June 29, beginning their bold march toward Reims, where Charles VII was to be crowned.
On July 3, the French forces secured the conditional surrender of Auxerre, a Burgundian-held city, further clearing the path toward Reims.
I. The Strategic Importance of the March
- Reims was the traditional site for the coronation of French kings, making its capture essential to legitimizing Charles VII’s rule.
- The Burgundians controlled much of the region, meaning that Joan’s army had to negotiate or fight their way through enemy-held territory.
- Rather than engaging in direct military confrontations, the French aimed to secure cities through diplomacy or intimidation, avoiding unnecessary bloodshed.
II. The Surrender of Auxerre (July 3, 1429)
- Auxerre, a key Burgundian stronghold, surrendered to the French on July 3, though under conditional terms.
- The city’s leaders negotiated their surrender, agreeing to recognize Charles VII as king, while retaining some autonomy.
- This victory demonstrated the growing influence of Joan of Arc and the weakening resolve of the Burgundian faction.
III. The French Army Advances Toward Reims
- With Auxerre secured, the French continued their march northward, meeting minimal resistance as several Burgundian-held cities surrendered without a fight.
- This momentum ensured that Charles VII’s coronation would soon become a reality, marking a major turning point in the Hundred Years’ War.
The fall of Auxerre on July 3, 1429, was a critical step in the French march toward Reims, as Joan of Arc’s army continued to reclaim territory and prepare for the ultimate goal—the coronation of Charles VII.
Locations
People
Groups
- Normandy, Duchy of
- Burgundy, Duchy of
- Christians, Roman Catholic
- Scotland, Kingdom of
- France, (Valois) Kingdom of
- England, (Plantagenet, Lancastrian) Kingdom of
Topics
- Hundred Years' War
- Armagnac-Burgundian Civil War
- Hundred Years' War: Resumption of the war under Henry V
- Hundred Years' War: French Victory
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Subjects
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Related Events
Showing 10 events out of 42073 total
Years: 1429 - 1429
Locations
People
Groups
- Normandy, Duchy of
- Burgundy, Duchy of
- Christians, Roman Catholic
- Scotland, Kingdom of
- France, (Valois) Kingdom of
- England, (Plantagenet, Lancastrian) Kingdom of
Topics
- Hundred Years' War
- Armagnac-Burgundian Civil War
- Hundred Years' War: Resumption of the war under Henry V
- Hundred Years' War: French Victory
Commodoties
Subjects
Regions
Subregions