Treaty of Paris (1303) facts for kids
The Treaty of Paris was an important peace agreement signed on May 20, 1303. It was made between the kingdoms of England and France. This treaty helped to settle a long-standing disagreement about who controlled certain lands, especially a region called Gascony.
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What Was the Treaty of Paris?
The Treaty of Paris in 1303 was a peace deal that ended a conflict between England and France. It was signed by representatives of Edward I of England and Philip IV of France. The main goal was to sort out who owned lands in southwestern France, particularly the area known as Guyenne, which was part of Gascony.
Why Was This Treaty Needed?
To understand the 1303 treaty, we need to look back at an earlier agreement. In 1259, another Treaty of Paris (1259) had been signed. This earlier treaty said that Gascony belonged to England, but it was given as a fief. This meant that the English king, as a "vassal," had to show loyalty to the French king, who was his "lord," for that land.
Whenever a new king took the throne in France or England, the English king had to formally promise his loyalty. Edward I of England did this in 1272 and again in 1285. He also reminded France that they had duties to him as well.
How Did Things Go Wrong?
However, in 1294, the peace was broken. Philip IV of France decided to take control of Guyenne, which was a key part of Gascony. The English king, Edward I, was very upset by this. He believed Guyenne should be his completely, without owing loyalty to anyone (an Allodial title). Edward I was ready to go to war over it.
Philip IV managed to hold onto Guyenne for a few years. But by 1303, a new agreement was needed to stop the fighting and bring peace.
What Did the 1303 Treaty Change?
The Treaty of Paris in 1303 brought several important changes:
- Edward I of England got Guyenne back.
- England also gained control of two important cities in the region: Bordeaux and Bayonne.
- As part of the peace, Edward II of England, who was Edward I's son, promised his allegiance (loyalty) to the French King.
- To further strengthen the peace, Edward II also married the French King's daughter, Isabella. This marriage was a way to create a stronger bond between the two royal families.
This treaty helped to calm tensions between England and France for a time, though disagreements over land would continue to be a source of conflict in the future.
