Treaty of Troyes

Quick Facts: Who was Treaty of Troyes?

Subject:

Treaty of Troyes

Known for:

The 1420 agreement granting Henry V of England succession rights to the French throne.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Treaty of Troyes was an agreement sealed in the French city of Troyes on 21 May 1420, under which Henry V of England and his heirs were to succeed Charles VI of France on the French throne. The treaty is regarded as the culmination of Henry's achievements in the Hundred Years' War, and it gave him a far better prospect of the French crown than any of his predecessors. It followed Henry's conquest of Normandy and the murder of John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy, and it disinherited Charles's son, the Dauphin Charles.

Career & Major Achievements

Under its terms, Charles VI remained king for life, while Henry married his daughter Catherine of Valois, was styled "heir of France", and took over the government of the kingdom. Once Henry or his heirs succeeded, the crowns of England and France were to be held by one person, with each kingdom keeping its own laws.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The treaty left it deliberately unclear whether Henry's right derived from the long-standing English claim to the French throne or from Charles VI's own authority, and its validity was contested in France from the outset. Both kings died in 1422, and the infant Henry VI became king of England and, under the treaty, of France.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1420: 1420 Milestone — The Treaty of Troyes was an agreement sealed in the French city of Troyes on 21 May 1420, under which Henry V of England and his heirs were to succeed Charles VI of France on the French throne.
2. 1422: 1422 Milestone — Both kings died in 1422, and the infant Henry VI became king of England and, under the treaty, of France.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Treaty of Troyes

True or False: “True or false: The Treaty of Troyes was intended to create a single ruler who held both the English and French crowns, while allowing each kingdom to keep its own laws.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The treaty explicitly stated that once Henry or his heirs succeeded, the crowns of England and France were to be held by one person, with each kingdom retaining its own distinct laws.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Jean Fouquet — Historical peer (Born in 1420) (1420): Master French painter, pioneer of the portrait miniature, bridging Gothic and Renaissance styles.
• Sesshū Tōyō — Historical peer (Born in 1420) (1420): Zen master and unparalleled painter of Japanese ink landscapes.
• Agnès Sorel — Historical peer (Born in 1422) (1422): The celebrated and first officially recognized royal mistress of Charles VII of France.
• Charles VI of France — Historical peer (Died in 1422) (1422): King of France, known for his reign from 1380 to 1422, plagued by mental illness.

Frequently Asked Questions about Treaty of Troyes