England, France and Aquitaine - Richard Ballard

Narrative history of England and France during Hundred Years War from the triumphs of Henry V to defeat of the English and loss of Gascony and Bordeaux - huge blow to English prestige and economic interest. A military history with technical detail but linked to high politics, courtly intrigue, dynastic ambition, economic interest (wine trade and Bordeaux). The story revolves around the death of two Kings, Henry V of England, soon after his military triumphs, and Charles VI of France, in 1422\. Both had historic claims to the 'French fiefs'. Henry was succeeded by Richard II and Charles by Charles VII. The contrast could hardly have been greater with Richard, a diffident, scholarly and religious figure, in an age when kings were expected to be aggressive leaders and military commander; and Charles - able politician, soldier and, in modern parlance, a 'hard man', who embodied the 15th century concept of kingship. Intermittent but constant warfare continued until English defeat in 1476 and the loss of Gascony and Bordeaux, and the Peace of Picquigny brought to an end a decisive episode in the Hundred Years War, foreshadowing England's future total withdrawal from France.