During this period, Acquitaine saw more than its fair share of war. The regions of Guienne and Gascony, in particular, were divided into numerous small counties, lordships, and fortified estates. This fragmentation created constant discord, as local lords frequently switched sides between the French and English, sometimes supporting one and then the other The Decline of English Power in France.
Territories changed hands repeatedly, yet the English always retained a significant presence in the region. This is evident from the fact that Richard II of England later granted the sovereignty of the duchy to his uncle, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, for life.
John of Gaunt’s Role
John of Gaunt had taken over the government and military command of the southern provinces following the departure of the Black Prince, who left due to declining health shortly before his death. The formal cession of Acquitaine to Gaunt occurred after his return from Spain, where he had unsuccessfully pressed his claim to the throne of Castile through his wife, the daughter of Peter the Cruel.
However, the people of Acquitaine opposed this grant. Their resistance may have been due to personal dislike of John of Gaunt, whose character was not popular locally, or from reluctance to be separated from the English crown. The protests were so strong that Richard II, with his uncle’s agreement, revoked the grant Daily Ephesus Tours.
The Truce and Its Limitations
During the reign of Henry IV, the long-standing truce between England and France was briefly broken, but with only minor military action, and it was soon renewed. Henry IV spent most of his reign dealing with internal rebellions and political unrest in England.
Meanwhile, France was weakened by the mental instability of Charles VI and the violent power struggles between the Burgundy and Armagnac factions. This internal disorder prevented the French from mounting any significant campaigns against English possessions in Acquitaine.
French Attempts and Limited Success
Although there were some French military efforts—such as the Duke of Burgundy attempting to capture Calais and the Duke of Orleans acting in Guienne—these campaigns were largely inconsequential. Neither effort resulted in significant changes to territorial control.
Despite local unrest, shifting loyalties, and occasional skirmishes, the English maintained their stronghold in southern France. Their power persisted due to both military presence and political influence, even in a period marked by widespread instability and weak leadership on both sides.