Richard I of England was fighting to maintain control over his French territories against King Philip II. Richard was generally successful through skilled military tactics, fortifying defenses, and strategic use of diplomacy. He formed alliances with the counts of Flanders and Toulouse by making concessions, depriving Philip II of allies. Richard's momentum grew as barons defected to his side, impressed by his military strength and finances. However, rebellions still occurred in Aquitaine and Richard had yet to fully regain control of the Vexin region from Philip II when he died.

1. Fighting For His Territory
RICHARD I IN FRANCE

2. 12TH CENTURY FRANCE

3. RICHARD’S METHODS
 Diplomacy
 War
 Good preparation
 Skilled tactician
 Charismatic leader
 Momentum
 Generally thought to be winning in Normandy
before his untimely death
 Rebellions in Aquitaine more problematic

4. PREPARATIONS
 Built stronger fortifications along Norman Marches
 Gave Marcher lordships to men he trusted
 1195: whilst discussing
peace had large army land at
Barfleur 28th August
 Re-conquering Vexin required:
 Secure base – built Chateau
Gaillard in 2 years from 1195
 Weakening Phillip II’s position:
took his most important allies (diplomacy)

5. INITIAL SUCCESS – SKILLED TACTICIAN
 Richard made massive gains in Normandy
 But still not got the Vexin
 So war was not over – especially as
Richard now feeling MUCH stronger
 Spring 1196 Richard summoned sister-in-law,
Constance of Brittany to court
 Richard wanted her son, Arthur (9), heir to Brittany
 Control of Brittany required control of Arthur
 Constance  Normandy
 Kidnapped by new husband's men
 Bretons swapped allegiance to Phillip II
 Richard attacked and won
 BUT Arthur smuggled to Phillip II in Paris
 And is was Arthur he wanted

6. DIPLOMACY – FLANDERS
 Flanders = allied to Phillip II
 North & east of Phillip’s lands
 Port of Boulogne
 Access to key trading towns: Bruges, Ghent, Lille
 Richard used Artois to divide Baldwin IX and Phillip II
 Phillip II had taken Artois 1192
 Still in dispute
 Richard promised Baldwin:
 End English trade embargo with Flanders
 Give him large sum money
 1197 signed formal treaty

7. DIPLOMACY – TOULOUSE
 Count Raymond V died
 Richard made generous gesture to new
count, Raymond VI
 Renounced his claim on Toulouse
 Gave back all disputed territory
 Offered sister Joan in marriage
 Dowry = country of Argen
Would give Toulouse uninterrupted trade links
through Bordeaux, up to Channel

8. DIPLOMACY – RESULTS
 Deprived Phillip II of 2 key allies
 Richard I safer in south
 Also had alliance with Navarre – marriage
 Phillip II vulnerable to attack from Flanders
 Two prong attack on Phillip II in Normandy from Artois
(Baldwin) and Berry (Richard I)
 Baldwin – great victory; Phillip II surrendered
 16 month truce made
 But Richard still wanted Vexin …

9. MOMENTUM
 Success  barons re-thinking loyalties
 Barons of Champagne, Brittany, Count Renaud of
Boulogne
 So many defections to
Richard I shows:
 Military strength
 Financial strength
 Phillip II got Lord Aimar of Limoges and Count
Ademar of Angoulême to defect to him

10. RICHARD HAD CONTROL RICHARD HAD ALLIANCES WITH
 Normandy
 Except Vexin, Gisors castle
 Strengthened – Chateau Gaillard,
Marcher lordships
 Brittany
 Except its heir, Arthur
 Count of Boulogne
 St. Omer (in Artois)
 Area surrounding Gisors,
including fortresses nearby
 Berry, Anjou
 Loches – Touraine
 Much of Aquitaine – though still
rebellions occurring – Limoges,
Angoulême
 Flanders
 Toulouse
 Navarre
 Holy Roman Empire
(nephew Otto now
emperor)
 Barons of Champagne
JOHN’S FRENCH INHERITANCE