Welcome to a history of Europe, Key Battles, the background of the Hundred Years' War, Part 2 of 2. In the previous podcast, I described

the political situation in France and England prior to the outbreak of the 100 years' war. For generations,

the two kingdoms had been in conflict with the Duchy of Aquitaine in southwestern France as the main

bone of contention. Acretaine had belonged to the English crown ever since the marriage of King Henry

II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152, which meant the King of England was technically

in his capacity of Duke, a vassal of the King of France.

The French crown periodically exploited his situation to undermine the English position.

In January 1324, King Charles, the 4th of France, summoned Edward II of England to answer charges against his officials.

The pretext given was an attack by the Seneschal of Gascany against a provocatively built

fortification in San Sadole. When Edward declined to appear, Charles declared Aquitaine,

confiscate, and sent troops into the region.

Charles' sister, Isabella, who was married to King Edward II of England,

travelled to France and negotiate a peace.

Isabella was joined by her son, the young Prince Edward, later that year,

who paid homage to Charles on his father's behalf as a peace

gesture. Despite this, Charles refused to return the lands in Akritaine to the English king,

resulting in a provisional agreement under which Edward resumed administration of the remaining

English territories in early 1326, whilst France continued to occupy the rest.

While in France, Isabella conspired with her lover, Roger Martimer, the Earl of March,

to have her husband deposed. An invasion of England was launched, and Edward II's forces deserted him completely.

The king was forced to relinquish the throne to his son on the 25th of January 1327,

and was murdered in September of the same year.

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