1475: the Treaty of Picquigny and the neutralisation of England

Louis XI: the spider and the construction of the modern state (1461-1483) · RENAISSANCE

The Treaty of Picquigny (29 August 1475) marked a turning point in Franco-English relations. Through this treaty, Louis XI managed to definitively neutralise the English threat on the continent, putting an end to English claims to the French crown.

🌍 Context: the resurgent English threat

The situation in England

Edward IV had restored peace in England after the Wars of the Roses
He sought to restore the prestige of the English monarchy
He claimed the crown of France, as his predecessors had

The Anglo-Burgundian alliance

Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, allied himself with Edward IV
The goal: a coordinated invasion of France
Threat of a renewed Hundred Years’ War

⚔️ The English invasion of 1475

The landing

July 1475: Edward IV landed at Calais with 15,000 men
He was joined by Charles the Bold and his army
Objective: march on Paris and overthrow Louis XI

Louis XI’s response

Louis XI avoided direct confrontation
He adopted a strategy of elastic defence
He opened parallel negotiations

🏰 The Treaty of Picquigny (29 August 1475)

The negotiations

Secret negotiations between Louis XI and Edward IV
Meeting on a bridge specially built over the Somme
Exchange of gifts and promises

The terms of the treaty

Seven-year truce between France and England
Annual pension of 50,000 gold écus paid by Louis XI to Edward IV
Planned marriage between the dauphin Charles (future Charles VIII) and Elizabeth of York (daughter of Edward IV)
Free trade between the two kingdoms
Exchange of prisoners and end of hostilities

💰 Louis XI’s “bribe”

The treaty is often described as a “bribe” or a “ransom”:

Louis XI paid 425,000 écus immediately to Edward IV
Plus an annual pension of 50,000 gold écus
Louis XI bought peace rather than risk war
But it was less costly than a prolonged war

Edward IV, satisfied with this steady income, renounced his claims to the French crown.

🏆 Consequences of the treaty

For France

Definitive neutralisation of the English threat
End of English claims to the French crown
Ability to focus on internal threats (Burgundy)
Savings in military and financial resources

For England

Regular income for the crown
Stabilisation of the domestic situation
But loss of military prestige

For Europe

Shift in geopolitical balances
Weakening of the Anglo-Burgundian alliance
Strengthening of France’s position in Europe

🧠 Key takeaways

29 August 1475: signing of the Treaty of Picquigny
Louis XI paid 50,000 gold écus per year to Edward IV
End of English claims to the French crown
Strategy of “bought peace” rather than costly war
Definitive neutralisation of the English threat on the continent
French forces freed up to confront Burgundy