Treaty of Troyes
Troyes Cathedral, Troyes, France
What happened
King Henry V of England agreed the treaty with France's Queen Isabeau and Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, acting for the ill King Charles VI. During the Hundred Years' War, Henry V had conquered much of northern France. In Troyes Cathedral it was agreed that Charles VI would stay king for life, but Henry and his heirs would inherit the French crown instead of Charles's own son, the Dauphin. Henry was betrothed to Charles's daughter, Catherine of Valois.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the high point of Henry V's bid for the French throne. For the first time a French king had accepted an English king's right to inherit France.
What came next
Henry V died in 1422, before Charles VI, so he never became king of France. The Dauphin was crowned Charles VII at Reims in 1429, and the English hold on France weakened.
Did you know?
English and British monarchs kept calling themselves 'King of France' until 1801.
Timeline
- 21 May 1420The Treaty of Troyes is sealed.
- 31 August 1422Henry V dies.
- 17 July 1429Charles VII is crowned at Reims.
- 1435Burgundy breaks with England at Arras.