Treaty of London (1359)

Quick Facts: Who was Treaty of London (1359)?

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Treaty of London (1359)

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The Second Treaty of London (1359) ended the Anglo-French conflict, setting terms for John II and Edward III.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Second Treaty of London was formally agreed on 24 March 1359 in London, England. Its terms would have ended the then 22-year-old Anglo-French conflict now known as the Hundred Years' War. It was sealed by Edward III, king of England, and John II, king of France; the latter was a prisoner in England, having been captured with much of his council at the battle of Poitiers in 1356.

Career & Major Achievements

An agreement was negotiated in 1358 to end the war – the First Treaty of London. Its main terms set John's ransom at four million écus: this was £667,000 – the equivalent of the entire peacetime income of the English Crown for about 20 years – and France was to transfer to England approximately a quarter of its territory, while Edward would give up his claim to the French throne.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The first installment of the ransom – 600,000 écus (£100,000) – was due to be paid on 1 November 1358, but with the French government collapsing into insurrection and anarchy, it proved impossible to raise, and Edward declared that the agreement had lapsed. Desperate to be back in France, which was proving ungovernable in his absence, in March 1359 John rapidly negotiated the Second Treaty of London.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1356: 1356 Milestone — It was sealed by Edward III, king of England, and John II, king of France; the latter was a prisoner in England, having been captured with much of his council at the battle of Poitiers in 1356.
2. 1358: 1358 Milestone — An agreement was negotiated in 1358 to end the war – the First Treaty of London.
3. 1359: 1359 Milestone — The Second Treaty of London was formally agreed on 24 March 1359 in London, England.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Treaty of London (1359)

True or False: “True or False: The Second Treaty of London in 1359 immediately ended all political claims of Edward III to the French throne.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The treaty required Edward III to give up his claim to the French throne, but the text implies this was part of a larger, complex agreement, not necessarily the final cessation of all claims.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Emperor Go-En'yū — Historical peer (Born in 1359) (1359): Fifth Emperor of the Northern Court during Japan's tumultuous Nanboku-chō period.
• Owain Glyndŵr — Historical peer (Born in 1359) (1359): Welsh nobleman who led a major revolt to establish an independent Wales.
• Ashikaga Takauji — Historical peer (Died in 1358) (1358): Founder of the Ashikaga Shogunate and pivotal figure in the Muromachi Period.
• Ashikaga Yoshimitsu — Historical peer (Born in 1358) (1358): Third Shōgun of the Ashikaga Dynasty, pivotal figure in Muromachi Japan.

Frequently Asked Questions about Treaty of London (1359)