Treaty of Bruges (1375) facts for kids
| Type | Time-limited truce |
|---|---|
| Context | Hundred Years' War |
| Signed | 27 June 1375, extended on 12 March 1376 |
| Location | Bruges |
| Expiration | 24 June 1377 |
| Signatories | |
| Parties |
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The Truce of Bruges was an agreement between England and France. It happened during the long Hundred Years' War. This truce was signed on June 27, 1375. It was meant to last for one year. Later, it was extended until June 24, 1377.
During this time, King Charles V of France kept the lands he had recently won. The Duchy of Brittany went back to France. However, a few towns like Brest and Auray stayed with John IV of Brittany.
Why the Truce Was Needed
The Hundred Years' War was a big fight between England and France. In the second part of the war, France started doing very well. Between 1369 and 1375, King Charles V of France took back almost all the land England had won. He even got back some areas England owned before the war began.
However, some English strongholds remained. These included Calais, Cherbourg, Bordeaux, and Bayonne. King Charles V knew he couldn't easily take more land. People in the Bordeaux area, for example, liked the English. They sold a lot of their wine to England. Charles V wanted people to support him, not rebel. So, he decided it was a good time to talk about peace. He hoped to end the war by keeping the lands France had won back.
Where the Talks Happened
The city of Bruges was chosen for the peace talks. Bruges was in French territory but had strong ties to England. Its important cloth industry needed wool from England. This made Bruges a good neutral place for both sides to meet.
For France, Philip the Bold, the Duke of Burgundy, led the talks. He was helped by many advisors from King Charles V. On the English side, John of Gaunt, the Duke of Lancaster, represented King Edward III of England.
The Peace Negotiations
The first round of talks started on March 25, 1375. They took place in the church of Saint-Donatien in Bruges. The French and English discussed how to divide Gascony. But the French duke, Philip the Bold, said no. He didn't want England to have control over any part of French land.
With help from Pope Gregory XI, both sides agreed to a truce. This truce began on July 1, 1375, and was supposed to last until June 1377.
A second meeting happened in Bruges from late December 1375 to March 1376. The Pope's representative suggested a 40-year truce. But neither side agreed. The English didn't like it because French troops still held Brittany. The French wanted to include Castile in the deal. This was to protect King Henry II of Castile's throne. John of Gaunt also claimed the throne of Castile, which made things complicated.
The third and final meeting started in July 1376. This time, advisors to the kings led the discussions. King Charles V offered to let Edward III rule lands in southern Gascony. He also offered to return other areas like Agenais and Bigorre. France would also pay the rest of the ransom for John II of France. In return, England had to give up Calais.
However, Charles V had a big condition. He said this new Gascony duchy must stay part of the Kingdom of France. This meant Edward III, as Duke of Gascony, would have to show loyalty to the French king. Also, French courts could review any legal decisions from Gascony. This meant France could even take the duchy back if needed.
Edward III refused these terms. He died on June 21, 1377. After his death, the fighting started again. The truce had failed to bring lasting peace.
