History: The House of Lancaster

This course will examine the Continual struggle of John of Bedford’s government as it attempted to either entirely defeat the cause of the French monarchy, or else force it into terms most favourable for the English as part of a negotiated settlement. As part of that, we will also consider the changing nature of the English alliance with the Burgundians, and how this relationship dictated the strategic plans of the English, and the degree to which such plans were subverted when the Anglo Burgundian alliance collapsed. Furthermore, we will analyse the plans of the French monarchy to continue their restoration, and how these plans then developed as their goals were achieved. We will conclude with a more detailed analysis of the final defeat of the English during the Hundred Years’ War, and how this defeat was completed. In particular, we will attempt to identify the key factors behind the final defeat and its immediate consequences, both for the state of England generally and also for the immediate challenge to the monarchy; including the apparent mental collapse of King Henry himself and the subsequent attempts then to stabilise and restore the central executive authority of the realm.