Gascony and the Growing Anglo-French Tensions Under Edward III (1327–1330s)

By the early 14th century, Gascony, once part of the broader Duchy of Aquitaine, had become a major flashpoint in Anglo-French relations. Though nominally under English control, the duchy remained a vassal territory of the French Crown, creating continuous friction between the two kingdoms.

The Status of Gascony in Edward III’s Early Reign (1327–1329)

• Gascony had been incorporated into Aquitaine (also called Guyenne or Guienne) in the 11th century, and by the 13th century, the terms Aquitaine, Guyenne, and Gascony were nearly interchangeable.
• The Angevin kings of England had ruled Aquitaine as Dukes of Aquitaine since Henry II’s marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152, but they held these lands as vassals of the French king.
• By the time Edward III ascended the English throne on February 1, 1327, the only remaining English possession in Aquitaine was Gascony.

French Pressure and Edward III’s Reluctant Homage (1329)

• The first decade of Edward III’s reign saw constant French pressure on Gascony’s administration, straining Anglo-French relations.
• The English argued that Charles IV of France (d. 1328) had acted improperly toward his vassal (Edward)and that the duchy should be free of French suzerainty.
• However, this claim could not be maintained politically, forcing the seventeen-year-old Edward III to pay homage to the new French king, Philip VI, in 1329.

The Symbolic Protest at the Homage Ceremony

• French tradition dictated that a vassal should approach their liege lord unarmed and bareheaded to signify submission.
• Edward III, reluctant to acknowledge Philip VI’s authority, attended the ceremony wearing his crown and sword, signaling his discontent and defiance.
• Despite complying with feudal custom, French pressure on Gascony continued, keeping tensions high.

Beyond Gascony: The Role of Robert III of Artois in Anglo-French Relations

• Gascony was not the only issue fueling conflict—one of Edward III’s closest advisers, Robert III of Artois, played a critical role in escalating tensions.
• Robert had been exiled from the French court after falling out with Philip VI over an inheritance dispute.
• Seeking revenge against Philip, Robert encouraged Edward to press a claim to the French throne, providing intelligence on the French court and fueling English hostility.

Toward War: The Road to the Hundred Years’ War

• Though Edward reluctantly paid homage in 1329, French policies in Gascony and Robert III of Artois’ influence ensured that Anglo-French tensions did not subside.
• Over the next decade, Philip VI’s interference in Gascony and Edward’s growing sense of injustice would push both kingdoms toward war.
• By 1337, Edward III would formally challenge Philip VI’s legitimacy, launching the Hundred Years’ War (1337–1453), the longest and most significant conflict of medieval Europe.

Conclusion

The struggles over Gascony in the late 1320s were not just territorial disputes but part of a broader contest for power between England and France. Edward III’s reluctant homage in 1329 and Robert III of Artois’ influence were key stepping stones toward the Hundred Years’ War, as tensions over feudal allegiance, inheritance, and royal ambition made conflict inevitable.

The Kings of England have attempted to subjugate the Scots for some time, which makes Scotland a natural ally of France.

In 1295, a treaty had been signed between France and Scotland during the reign of Philip the Fair.

Charles IV had formally renewed the treaty in 1326, promising Scotland that if England invades then France will support the Scots.

Similarly, the French will find Scottish support if their own kingdom is attacked.

Edward cannot succeed in his plans for Scotland if they can count on French support.

Philip VI had assembled a large naval fleet off Marseilles as part of an ambitious plan for a crusade to the Holy Land.

However, the plan had been abandoned and the fleet, including elements of the Scottish Navy, moves to the English Channel off Normandy in 1336, threatening England.

To deal with this crisis, Edward proposes that the English raise two armies, one to deal with the Scots "at a suitable time", the other to proceed at once to Gascony.

At the same time ambassadors are to be sent to France with a proposed treaty for the French king.

Philip VI Declares War on Edward III: The Beginning of the Hundred Years’ War (1337)

By 1337, tensions between Philip VI of France and Edward III of England had reached a breaking point. The immediate cause was Philip’s decision to confiscate the Duchy of Aquitaine (Gascony), triggering the Hundred Years’ War (1337–1453).

Philip VI’s Refusal to Negotiate (April 1337)

• Philip was invited to meet with an English delegation at the end of April 1337, but he refused, signaling that diplomatic efforts had collapsed.
• On April 30, 1337, the arrière-ban, or royal call to arms, was proclaimed throughout France, preparing the kingdom for war against England.

Philip’s Great Council and the Confiscation of Aquitaine (May 1337)

• In May 1337, Philip VI convened his Great Council in Paris to discuss the worsening crisis with England.
• The council unanimously agreed that the Duchy of Aquitaine (effectively Gascony) should be seized.
• Philip justified this move by accusing Edward III of violating his feudal obligations as vassal and for providing shelter to the king’s "mortal enemy," Robert III of Artois.

The Final Break and the Road to War

• By taking Gascony into his own hands, Philip VI directly challenged English sovereignty over its last remaining continental possession.
• Edward III saw this as a clear act of aggression, and by autumn 1337, he had begun preparing for war against France.
• In October 1337, Edward formally revoked his homage to Philip VI, effectively declaring himself independent of French suzerainty.

The Start of the Hundred Years’ War

• The confiscation of Aquitaine in 1337 marked the beginning of open hostilities between England and France, leading to one of the longest and most consequential wars in medieval Europe.
• Though rooted in feudal disputes, the conflict evolved into a struggle for the French crown, particularly after Edward III formally claimed the French throne in 1340.

Philip VI’s decision in 1337 to seize Gascony was the final act that pushed England and France into full-scale war, ushering in a new era of military and political conflict that would last for more than a century.