1203–1204: Château-Gaillard and Rouen's Capitulation
p5Philip II Augustus: The Affirmation of Capetian Power (1180–1223) · HIGH MIDDLE AGES
Château-Gaillard, Richard’s great fortress, falls in March 1204 after months of siege. Rouen, the Normandy capital, surrenders in June 1204. Normandy is secure.
🚀 Rapid Victory
- March 1204: Château-Gaillard falls
- June 1204: Rouen capitulates
- July 1204: Poitiers captured
- By 1205: Entire continental Plantagenet domain in Capetian hands
🧠 Key Points to Remember
- 1203–1204: Methodical siege warfare wins the day.
- Normandy’s conquest transforms European balance.