The process of Ponthieu

In August 1299, at Montreuil in northern France, the English and French envoys hammered out a final peace. This was a sequel to the talks in July, whereby John Balliol, the ex-King of Scots, was handed over to papal custody. Montreuil was the largest town inside the county of Ponthieu, a lordship on the banks of the Somme. 

As part of the agreement, Ponthieu was handed back to Edward I. Along with the much larger duchy of Gascony, it had been confiscated by Philip the Fair upon the outbreak of the Anglo-French war in 1294. Although Philip did not seize the county outright, he certainly milked its resources: while the status of Ponthieu was debated at the Court of Appeals in Paris, his officers stripped it of revenue and summoned the men of Ponthieu to military service. Ironically, this meant Edward's former subjects were now required to fight against him.

The return of Ponthieu was a significant concession on Philip's part, and a belated admission that he had made a mistake in provoking a war with England. Although the county was small (about half the size of Kent) the very fact Edward's dynasty held any land at all in France was a reversal of Capetian policy. Previously, when one of Philip's advisors was asked by the pope if the French meant to drive the English from their last holdings in France, the man replied:

"Certainly, sir, what you say is true."

Thus, the political importance of Ponthieu far outweighed its geographical size. Further, Edward's renewed status as Count of Ponthieu enabled him to retain a team of lawyers in Paris. Ostensibly they were there to deal with appeals from the county to the parlement, but in practice they gave the English king some influence over French affairs.

Montreuil was the scene of further Anglo-French peace talks in 1306. These meetings were concerned with vital issues of sovereignty and homage, and not particularly successful from an English perspective. The problem, as ever, lay in the one-sided nature of the Treaty of Paris, which gave the French a permanent advantage in law. After weeks of futile talks Edward's attorney, Philip Martel, threw up his hands and declared:

"Of what use is it for Englishmen to go to law against the king of France in his kingdom, against his whole council, and against you who are our co-judges? Certainly none!"

Neverthless, the mere fact Philip allowed the talks to be held at Montreuil was a concession to English interests. In contrast to his earlier belligerence, the French king was now prepared to compromise with England. At the same time he made occasional noises about helping the Scots, Edward's enemies, without actually doing very much. 

Ponthieu remained a treasured Plantagenet possession: Edward I re-granted it to his son, the future Edward II, when the young man was also made Prince of Wales and Lord of Chester. Edward III jealously guarded the county, and the famous battle of Crécy (pictured) was fought within its borders in 1346. As the third Edward's health and fortunes declined however, the French moved in and once again retook possession of Ponthieu, this time forever.