Opening the stacks
Opening the stacks
The use of royal and noble hostages, such as Enguerrand de Coucy, to guarantee the payment of ransom and treaty terms.
2 chapters across 1 book
Chapter 8 chronicles the failed English campaign of 1359-1360 led by King Edward III, marked by strategic French avoidance of battle, devastating natural events like the 'Black Monday' hailstorm, and culminating in the Treaty of Brétigny which imposed heavy territorial concessions and ransom obligations on France. The chapter explores the complex political and social aftermath, including the prolonged captivity of hostages, the rise of mercenary brigands, the cultural milieu of chivalry embodied by figures like Enguerrand de Coucy and Jean Froissart, and the deep societal fractures caused by war, plague, and political strife. It concludes with King Jean's troubled reign, his failed crusade and marriage alliance, and his enigmatic voluntary return to English captivity, symbolizing the decline of medieval chivalric ideals and royal authority.
Chapter 8, "Hostage in England," details the political and military turmoil surrounding the Treaty of London and Treaty of Brétigny, focusing on the hostage situation involving Coucy and other nobles. It covers Edward's expeditionary force, French raids on English towns, and the broader social impact including panic in England, the plague of 1361, and cultural references such as Chaucer's ransom and Froissart's chronicles. The chapter also touches on diplomatic marriages, prophecies, and the eventual death and funeral of Jean, highlighting the complex interplay of warfare, diplomacy, and societal upheaval in mid-14th century England and France.