Treaty of Picquigny

Alliance between Louis XI and Edward IV, most likely a depiction of the Treaty of Picquigny. Oil on panel, created by an artist from the circle ofJean Chalette(died 1643).

TheTreaty of Picquignywas a peace treaty negotiated on 29 August 1475 between theKingdom of Englandand theKingdom of France.It followed from an invasion of France byEdward IV of Englandin alliance withBurgundyandBrittany.It leftLouis XI of Francefree to solve the threat posed byCharles the Bold,Duke of Burgundy. The treaty also formally endedthe Hundred Years' War,which had been informally finished since1453.

Background

Following theTreaty of Londonin 1474,Charles the Bold,Duke of Burgundy, had agreed to aid England with an invasion of France. By June 1475,Edward IVhad landed on the coast of France. Edward IV had an army of around 11,000and a further 2,000 archers from Brittany.Edward's plan was to march through Burgundian territory to Reims. However Charles failed to provide the support he had promised, and refused to allow the English to enter Burgundian-controlled towns.Edward also received little support from his other allyFrancis II, Duke of Brittany.

Louis then sent Edward word that he was willing to offer more than Edward's allies could. He contacted and induced Edward to negotiate a settlement. The two negotiated by meeting on a specially-made bridge with a wooden grill-barrier between the sides, atPicquigny,just outsideAmiens.

Treaty

The negotiations led to an agreement signed on 29 August 1475. The two kings agreed to a seven-year truce and free trade between the two countries.Louis XIwas to pay Edward IV 75,000crownsupfront, on the condition he to return to England and not take up arms to pursue hisclaim to the French throne.He would then receive a yearly pension thereafter of 50,000 crowns. Also the King of France was to ransom the deposed English queen,Margaret of Anjou,who was in Edward's custody, with 50,000 crowns. It also included pensions to many of Edward's lords.

Other terms of the treaty were that if either king experienced a rebellion, the other would provide military support to defeat it. Edward's daughterElizabeth of Yorkwas to marry theDauphinCharleswhen she came of age.The English claim to the French throne was to be subject to arbitration along with other disagreements between the monarchs. A committee should meet annually to discuss the issues and their conclusions should be binding. It was to comprise the archbishops of Canterbury and Lyons, Edward's brotherGeorge, the Duke of Clarence,andLouis, Count of Dunois.

In addition to the king, his leading advisors also received pensions from the French.Thomas Rotherhamthe chancellor had 1,000 crowns a year.John Mortonhad 600 crowns, andSir John Howardand Sir Thomas Montgomery 1,200 each.William Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings,who had been the chief advocate for the treaty, was to receive 2,000 crowns a year.

Commines report

The details of the negotiations are related by the chroniclerPhilippe de Commines,who says that the Duke of Gloucester (laterKing Richard III) was opposed to the treaty, considering it dishonourable. He refused to participate in the negotiations. However, he joined the celebrations in Amiens after it was concluded. Commines also relays a series of sarcastic comments made by the French king about Edward's notorious womanising, as well as his fear of the English because of the events of theHundred Years' War.

The apparent bribery in the treaty led to some disaffection on both sides. A number of commentators, both English and French, considered it dishonourable. Louis de Bretaylle, English envoy to Spain, confided that this one shady deal took away the honour of all Edward's previous military victories.