The conditions of the surrender were carried out very strictly by the Count de Dunois. He made sure that the promises given to the people were fully respected. This showed that the French leaders wanted to keep order and gain the trust of the inhabitants.
There is a clear example of how seriously these rules were followed. One French soldier tried to steal property from the town. This was against the agreement, which promised protection of private belongings. As soon as this act was discovered, the soldier was punished without delay. He was executed on a newly built gallows, which had been set up especially to deal with such crimes under the new French authority. This strong action showed that the French government would not allow disorder or injustice.
The Fall of Bayonne
After the fall of Bordeaux, the city of Bayonne did not resist for long. The situation was already clear: the English could not provide help, and French forces were strong and well organized.
On the 20th of August, the gates of Bayonne were opened to the lieutenant-general of the King of France. The surrender happened without a long siege or heavy fighting. Like Bordeaux, Bayonne accepted French rule when it became clear that resistance would only bring damage and suffering.
A Mysterious Sign in the Sky
At the time of Bayonne’s surrender, people reported a strange and unusual event. According to writers of that period, a white cross appeared in the sky. This symbol was closely linked to France.
The people of the town and the soldiers both claimed to have seen it. Many believed that it was a sign from God. They said it showed that God supported the French king and wanted the town to surrender Ephesus Sightseeing.
The white cross of France was seen as a message to reject the red cross of England. Whether this event was real or simply a story that spread at the time, it clearly had a strong effect on how people understood the fall of the city.
The End of English Rule in Aquitaine
With the surrender of Bayonne, English power in Aquitaine finally came to an end. This rule had lasted for nearly three hundred years. It began in 1152, when Eleanor of Aquitaine married King Henry II of England.
From that time, Aquitaine became closely connected to England. Over the centuries, this connection shaped the region’s politics, culture, and loyalties.
However, on the 20th of August, 1451, this long period ended. The French crown regained control, and Aquitaine became part of France once again.
A Brief Return of English Influence
Although English rule officially ended, the story did not completely finish at that moment. The following year, the people of Bordeaux rebelled against French control. They invited the English to return and once again placed the city under English authority.
This event shows how strong the attachment to England still was among the people of Bordeaux. However, this return was only temporary. The French soon came back and regained the city for the final time.
During this conflict, an important English leader, John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, was killed. His death marked the final defeat of English efforts in the region.