Kings of England

During the time of Joan of Arc, England and France were experiencing great political upheaval. Such conflict consisted of the Hundred Years’ War between France and England, as well as civil wars in both countries. There were many different power struggles between kings, both French and English.

King Edward III

King Edward led England into the Hundred Years’ War and began the 116-year long battle.1 

King_Edward_III
King Edward III7

King Henry V 

Henry V
King Henry V8

Henry became king in 1413. The following year, he led a campaign which captured Normandy, putting the region into English hands for the first time in 200 years.2 Henry was recognized as the next legitimate heir to the French throne from the Treaty of Troyes and also married Charles VI’s daughter, Catherine of Valois.3 He died suddenly in 1422, only months after the death of Charles VI.

King Henry VI

Henry VII
King Henry VII9

Henry became king of both England and France at nine months old.4 His position as the king of France is widely disputed, and Charles VII was also considered the king at that time. Henry VI was an ineffective ruler, as he was extremely indecisive. Due to his indecisiveness, England lost control of, much of France. Henry married Margaret of Anjou, who made many of his decisions for him.5 The War of the Roses broke out when Henry’s mental stability began to disintegrate.6 A battle ensued between Henry’s wife Margaret and his cousin, Richard,  Duke of York, for succession to the throne. During the war, Henry was deposed, and Richard’s son, Edward IV took the throne, only to have Henry restored a mere nine years later. The King was removed once and for all just a year later, when Edward IV was reinstated on the throne again.

 

  1. J.R.L Highfield & Thomas Frederick Tout, Edward III, Encyclopedia Britannica, July 28, 1999.
  2. Harold Frederick Hutchison, Henry V: A Biography, Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1967, 207.
  3. Ibid, 189.
  4. Ralph Alan Griffiths, The Reign of King Henry VI: The Exercise of Royal Authority, 1422-1461, University of California Press, 1981, 1.
  5. Ibid, 254.
  6. Ibid, 2.
  7. Unknown, King Edward III, National Portrait Gallery, 1597-1618.
  8. Unknown, King Henry V, National Portrait Gallery, 1550-1650.
  9. Unknown, King Henry VI, National Portrait Gallery, 1540.