The Historical Context: England and France in 1421

The early 15th century marked a critical phase in the long-running Hundred Years’ War between England and France. Following his stunning victory at Agincourt in 1415, King Henry V of England had secured the Treaty of Troyes in 1420, which recognized him as heir to the French throne and regent for the mentally unstable King Charles VI. However, the Dauphin Charles (later Charles VII), disinherited by the treaty, continued to resist English domination from his strongholds south of the Loire.

By 1421, England’s position in France appeared strong but was more fragile than it seemed. The sudden death of Henry V’s brother, Thomas, Duke of Clarence, at the Battle of Baugé in March 1421 shattered the myth of English invincibility. The defeat sent shockwaves through France, emboldening the Dauphin’s supporters and forcing Henry V to return to France to stabilize his gains.

The Turning Point: The Battle of Baugé and Its Aftermath

The Battle of Baugé (March 22, 1421) was a rare French victory in this phase of the war. Clarence, overconfident and separated from his archers, led a reckless charge against Franco-Scottish forces under the Earl of Buchan and the Constable of France, Gilbert Motier de La Fayette. The English were routed, and Clarence himself was killed.

The political fallout was immediate:

– Breton Alliance Shifts – John V, Duke of Brittany, sensing the Dauphin’s resurgence, sent his brother Richard de Montfort with 2,000 troops to support Charles. A marriage alliance with the Orléans family further cemented this pact.
– English Weakness Exposed – Normandy’s defenses were left scrambling to fill command vacancies, while Parisian officials enforced loyalty oaths to the Treaty of Troyes.
– Betrayals and Revolts – Jacques d’Harcourt, a disgruntled Burgundian commander, defected to the Dauphin, handing over key coastal strongholds like Le Crotoy, which threatened English supply lines.

The Military Campaigns of 1421-1422

Henry V’s return to France in June 1421 stabilized the situation but revealed deeper challenges:

– Financial Strain – England’s Parliament refused new taxes, arguing that as France’s heir, Henry should fund the war from French revenues—yet Normandy’s garrisons drained those coffers.
– Burgundy’s Reluctance – Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy, prioritized his Low Countries interests over the Anglo-Burgundian alliance. His half-hearted support forced Henry to shoulder the war’s burden alone.
– Dauphin’s Missed Opportunities – Despite victories at Baugé and Montmirail, Charles failed to capitalize. His commanders avoided decisive battles, and internal rivalries weakened coordination.

The Siege of Meaux (October 1421–May 1422) exemplified the war’s grinding nature. Henry’s forces endured disease and supply shortages before finally capturing the city, but the campaign left him fatally ill.

Cultural and Social Impacts

The war’s toll extended beyond battlefields:

– Civilian Suffering – Normandy and the Île-de-France endured famine, banditry, and forced requisitions. Paris, under English control, faced food shortages and unrest.
– Mercenary Brutality – Foreign troops (Scots, Lombards, Gascons) hired by both sides often ravaged the countryside, deepening resentment.
– Propaganda and Mythmaking – Baugé shattered the “English invincibility” narrative, while Henry V’s death in 1422 left his infant son, Henry VI, to inherit a fractured dual monarchy.

Legacy and Modern Relevance

The 1421-1422 campaigns foreshadowed the war’s eventual outcome:

– French Resilience – Despite setbacks, the Dauphin’s refusal to surrender kept resistance alive, setting the stage for Joan of Arc’s intervention in 1429.
– England’s Overextension – Henry V’s death exposed the impossibility of sustaining English rule in France without his leadership. The Treaty of Troyes unraveled within decades.
– Diplomatic Lessons – The Anglo-Burgundian alliance’s fragility highlights how shifting loyalties and regional interests shape conflicts—a dynamic still relevant in modern geopolitics.

### Conclusion

The Battle of Baugé and its aftermath marked a pivotal but often overlooked chapter in the Hundred Years’ War. While Henry V’s early triumphs seemed to assure English dominance, the Dauphin’s persistence, Burgundy’s ambivalence, and England’s logistical strains revealed the limits of conquest. The war’s legacy endures as a case study in the interplay of military strategy, diplomacy, and national identity.