Peace of Etaples

Quick Facts: Who was Peace of Etaples?

Subject:

Peace of Etaples

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Treaty ending English invasion of France; recognized Brittany's suzerainty.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Peace of Étaples was signed on 3 November 1492 in Étaples between Charles VIII of France and Henry VII of England. Charles agreed to end his support for the Yorkist Pretender Perkin Warbeck, in return for being recognised as ruler of the Duchy of Brittany. The agreement ended an English invasion of France that was launched in response to French support for the Yorkist Pretender and Flemish native Perkin Warbeck.

Career & Major Achievements

An English army of 26,000 landed at Calais in October and besieged Boulogne. Signed on 2 November, Charles VIII of France agreed to end support for Warbeck and pay an indemnity of £159,000, while Henry VII of England accepted French rights to the Duchy of Brittany. The agreement was ratified in December.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Henry presented the treaty as a demonstration of English strength, in which he forced Charles to sue for peace, and the expulsion of Warbeck from France removed a key enemy. His abandonment of the Bretons was a reversal of the 1489 Treaty of Redon, but in reality, Brittany had already recognised French suzerainty through the marriage of Anne of Brittany to Charles in December 1491. In July 1498, Louis XII renewed the treaty prior to his invasion of Italy in 1499.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1489: 1489 Milestone — His abandonment of the Bretons was a reversal of the 1489 Treaty of Redon, but in reality, Brittany had already recognised French suzerainty through the marriage of Anne of Brittany to Charles in December 1491.
2. 1492: 1492 Milestone — The Peace of Étaples was signed on 3 November 1492 in Étaples between Charles VIII of France and Henry VII of England.
3. 1498: 1498 Milestone — In July 1498, Louis XII renewed the treaty prior to his invasion of Italy in 1499.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Peace of Etaples

True or False: “True or False: The Peace of Étaples was primarily forced upon France by English military strength, despite the recognition of French rights over Brittany.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): False. While Henry VII presented it as a demonstration of English strength, the treaty also involved Charles VIII agreeing to end support for Warbeck and paying an indemnity, indicating mutual concessions rather than a purely forced outcome.

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