War of Saint-Sardos facts for kids

The War of Saint-Sardos was a short fight between England and France in 1324. French forces invaded the English-controlled Duchy of Aquitaine. England lost badly, and this defeat later led to Edward II of England losing his throne. This war also helped set the stage for the much longer Hundred Years' War.

Quick facts for kids War of Saint-Sardos
Date 1 July – 22 September 1324 Location Duchy of Aquitaine Result French victory
Belligerents
England	France
Commanders and leaders
Edward II of England; Edmund of Woodstock, 1st Earl of Kent; Hugh le Despenser, 1st Earl of Winchester	Charles IV of France; Charles of Valois; Gaston II of Foix-Béarn
Strength
25,000	7,000

Why the War Started

For many years, the kings of France had been trying to gain more power. They wanted to control more land and have more say over their nobles. One way they did this was through a special court called the Parlement of Paris. This court allowed people to challenge decisions made by local lords.

This was a problem for Edward II of England. He was not only the King of England but also the Duke of Aquitaine. Aquitaine was a region in France that England still controlled. However, as Duke, Edward was a vassal of the French king. This meant he had to show loyalty to the French king.

The French kings wanted to take Aquitaine completely. They often used small legal cases to slowly take away land and power from the English duke. Edward II often had to watch as his control over Aquitaine slowly shrank.

The Saint-Sardos Incident

One of these small cases involved a village called Saint-Sardos. This village was under the Duke of Aquitaine's control. However, a local religious house wanted to be free from the Duke's rule. In 1322, the French court agreed with them.

In October 1323, a French official arrived in Saint-Sardos. He put up a pole with the French king's symbols on it. This showed that the village was now under French control.

Local landowners were not happy about this. They worried that a new town built there would take people away from their own lands. The very next night, a local lord named Raymond-Bernard attacked Saint-Sardos. He burned the village and hanged the French official.

The French government believed that Ralph Basset, a top English official in France, had allowed this crime.

Diplomatic Troubles

King Edward II of England had many problems at home. He did not want a fight with France. When he heard the news, he quickly sent a letter. He said he was sorry, claimed he was innocent, and promised to find and punish the person responsible.

Meanwhile, in Paris, French officials wanted Ralph Basset to explain himself. He refused to show up. Because of this, Edward II's main lawyer in Paris was arrested.

English ambassadors tried to talk to the French King, Charles IV of France. The King accepted Edward II's apologies but still wanted Basset and others to appear before him. When they didn't, their property was taken by the French king. French forces were ordered to take the castle of Montpezat by force. But Edward II told Raymond-Bernard to defend the castle.

The English tried to delay things and avoid giving in. In April 1324, a new group of English leaders went to France. They wanted to find a peaceful solution. They were led by Edmund, Earl of Kent.

When they arrived in Paris, they were not welcomed warmly. They promised that Montpezat would be given up. They also said Edward II would come to France to show his loyalty to the French king. But when they went to Bordeaux, they found that many local nobles were angry about how France was acting. So, the Earl of Kent changed his mind and decided to resist.

New ambassadors were sent, but their leader died suddenly. By the time they arrived, it was too late. King Charles IV had already declared that the entire Duchy of Aquitaine was now officially French.

The War Begins

In August 1324, Charles of Valois, the French king's uncle, invaded Aquitaine. The English were not ready for war. Many of their forts had very few soldiers.

With help from local French nobles and about 7,000 troops, Charles of Valois quickly moved through the region. The war ended in less than six weeks. Most towns gave up right away. Montpezat was captured and destroyed in the first few days.

The strongest resistance came from the Earl of Kent at La Réole. He managed to hold out for a few weeks. But on September 22, he had to surrender. A temporary peace agreement, called a truce, was made. Both sides would keep the land they held for six months. This short conflict then ended for good.

What Happened Next

The war had a big impact on English politics. Hugh le Despenser the Elder, who was blamed for the quick English defeat, had to send Queen Isabella to France to negotiate. She took her son, Edward of Windsor, with her. Edward II had given Aquitaine to his son so that he could show loyalty to the French king for it.

A new truce was agreed upon in March 1325. It said that France would officially control what was left of Aquitaine. French officials would be in charge of the coastal towns. However, Edward II's soldiers would still control the forts. The parts of Aquitaine that France had conquered would only be returned if France got money for the war.

Edward II was very unhappy but finally agreed to this humiliating peace. This defeat and what happened after Queen Isabella's trip to France eventually led to Edward II being removed from power in England.