1328–1329: Edward III's Homage, Fragile Peace
p5Philip VI of Valois: A New Dynasty, A War Begins (1328–1350) · HIGH MIDDLE AGES
At the beginning of the reign, Philip VI seeks to stabilize: avoid an immediate war while affirming the feudal superiority of the King of France. England, for its part, wants to preserve its continental possessions.
🏛️ Homage as a Political Instrument
For Guyenne, the King of England renders homage to the King of France. Rendering homage means recognizing a hierarchy; refusing means claiming sovereign equality. This ambiguity makes peace fragile.
⚠️ A Lull That Prepares the Rupture
In 1329, Edward III renders homage to Philip VI. The act aims to secure Guyenne, but it does not resolve the heart of the problem: the King of England refuses to be treated as an “ordinary” vassal, while France wants homage to be proof of superiority.
Even when homage is rendered, mistrust lingers: local juridical conflicts, rivalries of lords and commercial stakes feed recurring crises. The succession of 1328 remains, in the background, an open question.
🧠 Key Points to Remember
- 1328–1329: peace rests on unstable feudal gestures.
- Guyenne is a structural cause of conflict.