Chroniques de J. Froissart, tome 02/13

Set against the turbulent early 1340s, this vivid chronicle captures the clash between the French crown and the English monarch as they scramble for dominance in the Low Countries. The narrative opens with King Philippe VI of Valois reacting to the devastation of Aubenton and the Thiérache, dispatching his son, the Duke of Normandy, to lead a massive incursion into Hainaut. Meanwhile, the French navy, under seasoned commanders, patrols the Flemish coast to block Edward III’s return to the continent.

The account weaves together the ambitions of regional nobles, the desperate pleas of Flemish cities, and the papacy’s sudden excommunication edicts aimed at quelling resistance. Readers encounter a tapestry of siege tactics, raids into the countryside, and diplomatic overtures that quickly dissolve into open warfare. Through detailed observations of battles, sieges, and the harsh realities of medieval logistics, the work offers an immersive glimpse into a pivotal moment when alliances shifted and the fate of kingdoms hung in the balance.