In Focus - Discover France: Experience the Best of France - page 705

mans) began to raid France's western and
northern coasts. Having plundered and pil-
laged to their hearts' content, the Normans
eventually formed the independent duchy of
Normandy in the early 11th century.
In 1066, the Normans launched a success-
ful invasion of England, making William the
Conqueror both Duke of Normandy and King
of England. The tale of the invasion is graph-
ically recounted in the embroidered comic-
strip known as the Bayeux Tapestry.
During this time, Normandy was one of
several independent duchies or provinces (in-
cluding Brittany, Aquitaine, Burgundy, Anjou
and Savoy) within the wider French kingdom.
While each province superficially paid allegi-
ance to the French crown, they were effect-
ively self-governing and ruled by their own
courts.
Intrigue and infighting was widespread.
Matters came to a head in 1122 when Elean-
or, Queen of Aquitaine, wed Henry, Duke of
Anjou (who was also Duke of Normandy and, as William the Conqueror's great-
grandson, heir to the English crown). Henry's ascension to the English throne in
1124 effectively brought a third of France under England's control, and sowed the
seeds for several centuries of conflict collectively known as the Hundred Years' War
(1337-1453).
Following particularly heavy defeats for the French at Crécy and Agincourt, John
Plantagenet was made regent of France on behalf of Henry VI in 1422, and less
than a decade later he was crowned king of France. The tide of the war seemed to
have taken a decisive turn, but luckily for the French, a 17-year-old warrior by the
name of Jeanne d'Arc (Joan of Arc) rallied the French forces and inspired the
French king Charles VII to a series of victories, culminating in the recapture of Paris
in 1437.
Unfortunately things didn't turn out well for Joan - she was subsequently be-
trayed to the English, accused of heresy and witchcraft, and burnt at the stake in
Rouen in 1431.

Roman Sites

1 PONT DU GARD, NEAR NÎMES (
CLICK HERE )

2 LES ARÈNES & THÉÂTRE
ANTIQUE, ARLES ( CLICK HERE )

3 ROMAN THEATRE, ORANGE (
CLICK HERE )

4 TROPHÉE DES ALPES, LE
TURBIE ( CLICK HERE )

5 THEÂTRE ROMAIN, LYON (
CLICK HERE )