While We Wait: Part 3

Italics represents heir
b. is date born
Spouse in parentheses


England

The young Henry VI was crowned both King of England, in 1429, and King of France, in 1431. However, he did not take the reigns of the government until 1437, when his mother died. Both before that point, and afterwards, Henry VI allowed himself to be dominated by a few powerful personages at court, the Duke of Bedford, who died in 1435, and later a pro-peace faction, led by the Duke of Suffolk and Cardinal Beaufort. This caused the pro-war faction, headed by Duke of York, the assumed heir to the throne, and the Duke of Gloucester to be alienated.

In 1445, the peace efforts gained a coup when Henry VI agreed to marry Charles VII of France’s niece, Margaret of Anjou, giving up Maine and Anjou to France. The ceding of territories, however, proved unpopular in England, causing a large public backlash to occur against Henry. In an attempt to lessen this backlash, Henry banished the Duke of York to Ireland and had the Duke of Gloucester arrested on charges of treason, but pressure continued to build. Corruption, worsening finances, and continued loss in territories led to a breakdown of law and order. Trying to appease the masses, Henry sent the Duke of Suffolk, the main object of the commoner’s wrath, into exile, but he was murdered before he could leave. This move, however, did little to appease the English and Henry may have to take some drastic steps soon or risk facing a rebellion.

Ruler: Henry VI, b. 1421 (Margaret of Ajnjou)
Living Siblings: None
Living Children: None (unacknowledged heir is Duke of York)


France:

For as long as anyone could remember, France and England had been fighting their war. About the time the Council of Basil was first meeting, France received a blow as their hero, Joan of Arc, was executed by the English. This setback, along with the negotiations that followed, stalled what had been a vigorous French counter-attack. During the lull in the fighting, however, King Charles VII worked to consolidate his own position, reorganizing the army and government, and centralizing the French state.

Thus, when, in a diplomatic coup, France made peace with Burgundy and received Paris again, France was again poised to retake the offense against the English. However, they were stymied in this effort by the brilliant English commander, John Talbot, who routed the French in two separate battles in 1436 and 1439. After these disasters, the French turned to pursuing a battle avoidance strategy that concentrated on sieges, refusing to meet the English in battle. This strategy has paid off for France, as now England is left with only a small toehold in Normandy and around Calais.

There are, however, some dark clouds menacing the prosperity of France as the heir to the throne, Louis, and Charles have had several violent quarrels, leading to Louis’ banishment to the Dauphiny in 1446. Since then, Louis and Charles have not communicated, leading some to speculate whether Charles would dare name his youngest son as heir instead of Louis.

Ruler: Charles VII, b. 1403 (Marie of Anjou)
Living Siblings: None
Living Children: Louis XI, b. 1423 (widower); Yolande, b. 1434; Joan, b.1435; Magdalena, b. 1443; Charles b. 1446


Burgundy

Under Philip, Burgundy gradually extricated itself from the war being fought between France and England. In 1435, Philip reversed his previous alliance with England by attacking English held Calais and recognized Charles VII as King of France. Since then, however, Philip has continued to withdraw himself, being more concerned with expansion elsewhere. This policy seems to be successful as he has added Namur, Hainault, Holland, Frisia, Zealand, Brabant, Limburg, Antwerp, and Luxembourg to his territories.

Under his leadership, Burgundy has become known as the most extravagant court of Europe. Fancying himself a second King Arthur, he created the Order of the Golden Fleece for his knights, who tour the countryside participating in tournaments. His vast expenditure ensured that Burgundy became the accepted leader of taste and fashion for nobility everywhere, and became the leading supplier of luxury products. Philip also is the most generous patron in Europe, commissioning artists, authors, goldsmiths, jewelers, and musicians, all of which make Burgundy the center of the cultural world in Europe.

Ruler: Philip, b. 1396 (Isabel of Portugal)
Living Siblings: Marie b. 1393 (widow); Agnes b. 1407 (Charles I, Duke of Bourbon)
Living Children: Charles b. 1433 (widower)