The Loss of Normandy

Treaty of Le Goulet - Jan 1200

John recognised as Richard's heir to the French lands.
Arthur (nephew) to hold Brittany from John, not Philip.
Philip kept some lands gained in Normandy, and gained 20,000 marks of feudal relief from John. Significant - first time an Angevin had openly paid this - made Philip's status as overlord more concrete.
John agreed to break alliances w/ Flanders and Boulogne + not involve them in conflicts w/ Philip. Significant - only way of placing pressure on French lands - technique relied on by Richard and Henry.

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Seemed wise on surface - suitable match for a king - previous marriage to isabella of Gloucester anulled.
Her territory was vital for Angevins if they kept control of Southern France.
Father - Count Aymer - long-term troublemaker - marriage secured loyalty.
Problem - she was engaged to Hugh le Brun - senior noble of Lusignan family.
Marriage greatly angered the family. John's treatment of them contributed to the loss of Normandy
Lusignans alllegedly seized La Marche in 1199 by capturing Eleanor of Aquitaine and extorting it from her - could explain John's attitude towards them.

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Denied Lusignans Isabella and failed to compensate them - been interpreted as either oversight or intentional snub.
Led to revolt in lands they held in Aquitaine - didn't help that John ordered seizure of La Marche in spring 1201. Also seized lands of Norman lands of Hugh's kinsman, Ralph of Exoudon.
When they appealed for justice he denied it to them - allowed Philip II to intervene as John was seen to be treating his barons unfairly.
Refusal to allow them anything other than trial by combat led Lusignans to appeal to Philip again.
John summoned to feudal court in Paris - claimed that he didn't have to go as Duke of Normandy as he had the right to meet on their border - Philip retorted he was being summoned as Duke of Aquitaine.
Failure to appear in Paris in 1202- Philip able to paint John as contumacious vassal - territories declared forfeit. Normandy confiscated and other territories granted to Arthur of Brittany.

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1202 - Arthur + Lusignans quickly attacked John in territories of Anjou, Maine, Touraine and Poitou.
John deprived of allies as a result of 4th Crusade - acted decisively as Eleanor was in danger - Arthur's forces closed around Mirebeau Castle where Eleanor was.
John led forces from Le Mans to Mirebeau in 3 days. Allies - Aimery of Thouars & William des Roches.
Arthur caught completely off guard - he and all his key followers captured - should have been a decisive victory.
Not a victory - his fault. 1- didn't accept the counsel of William des Roches - wanted a say in the fate of Arthur 2- mistreated high-status prisoners. 22 starved to death in Corfe Castle.
Alienated families of dead in Corfe and giving William a say may have worked better for John- Arthur disappeared in John's custody and by 1203 it was accepted that he was dead.
HOWEVER makes sense that John didn't wish to hand his dynastic rival to a baron w/ growing power who hadn't always been loyal.
Ultimately the death of Arthur meant that des Roches and Thouars rebelled against John - rapidly joined by Bretons, outraged at murder of Duke.

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1203- almost impossible to maintain control of lands south of Normandy. Invasion in East Normandy by Philip II.
Army of mecenaries - sent to rescue Queen Isabella from Chinon - only just made it out - shows John's collapse of authority.
Wide betrayal - Count of Alencon defected to rebels just after having John to stay. Fortress of Vaudreil suddenly + suspiciously was surrendered by Robert FitzWalter in 1203.
Philip dominant - cruised down the Loire valley - heart of old Angevin empire. Aug- laid seige on Chateau Gaillard. John's attempts to relieve it w/ supplies failed - unlucky.
Blame for this loss often blamed on John- claimed he was cowardly, lazy or infatuated w/ his wife.
Use of mecenaries - especially Louvrecaire - partially why people turned against John - complaints that they treated people worse than Philip's forces.
Disputed as to whether Norman barons refused to fight for John b/c he was weak or b/c they were weary of the Angevins.

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