In response, Edward sent Philip a letter of defiance. After taking the title of king of England and Spain, Edward made an alliance with the Flemish and defeated a French fleet at Sluys. Soon after, in 1346, the English were victorious again during the Battle of Crecy, where the English longbow proved an effective weapon. They continued their victories by winning the Siege of Calais and capturing the city. However, these successes were paused when the Black Death swept across Europe in 1348, affecting both countries and drastically dropping populations. In 1350, Philip VI died and his place was taken by John II. However, the new king became a prisoner when the English won the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. In 1359, John signed the Treaty of London, which forced him to surrender most of western France and pay 4,000,000 gold ecus as ransom. A year later in 1360, Edward agreed to negotiate peace since he was unable to become king of France and agreed to the Treaty of Bretigny. He later renounced the French crown and territory not covered by the …show more content…
King Charles VI went insane in 1392, which caused conflict in France. When he was sane, Duke Louis of Orleans, his brother, ruled. Duke John of Burgundy ruled when he was insane. To gain more power, Duke John planned for Duke Louis to be assassinated in 1407, which caused conflict between the Armagnacs (followers of Louis) and the Burgundians (followers of John). King Richard II of England married Isabella of France (daughter of King Charles VI) in 1396. As a result of the marriage, a twenty-eight year truce was agreed on, but was not followed through. In 1399, Richard II was overthrown by Henry Bolingbroke (John of Gaunt’s son) who began the Lancastrian dynasty. Charles VII was born as the third son to Charles VI of France in 1403. The assassination of Duke Louis by Duke John of Burgundy caused more friction between the two houses. Soon after, there was civil war in France between the Burgundians (support Duke John) and Armagnacs (support Duke