Treaty of Arras (1435)
Arras, Pas-de-Calais, France
What happened
King Charles VII of France and Duke Philip the Good of Burgundy made the treaty; English envoys attended the peace congress but left. During the Hundred Years' War, Burgundy had been allied with England since 1419. At a great peace congress in Arras, the English would not give up their claim to the French throne and walked out. France and Burgundy then made their own treaty: Philip recognised Charles VII as king of France and was given several territories.
Why it matters
It broke the alliance between England and Burgundy. It strengthened Charles VII's claim against the English king Henry VI.
What came next
England was left isolated, and English rule in France declined steadily from 1435.
Did you know?
The historian Richard Vaughan called the gathering at Arras 'Europe's first real peace congress'.
Timeline
- 1419England and Burgundy become allies.
- 14 September 1435The Duke of Bedford, England's regent in France, dies.
- 20/21 September 1435France and Burgundy sign the treaty.