What were the outcomes of the Treaty of Picquigny in 1475?

The Treaty of Picquigny in 1475 ended the hostilities between England and France during the Hundred Years' War.

The Treaty of Picquigny, signed on 29 August 1475, marked the end of the Hundred Years' War, a prolonged conflict between England and France. The treaty was signed in the town of Picquigny, near Amiens, in northern France. The main protagonists were Edward IV of England and Louis XI of France. The treaty was a significant diplomatic victory for Louis XI, who managed to avoid a full-scale invasion of France by Edward IV.

The terms of the treaty were largely favourable to France. Edward IV agreed to withdraw his army from France in return for a payment of 75,000 crowns and an annual pension of 50,000 crowns. This was a significant sum, and it effectively amounted to a bribe to keep the English king and his army out of France. In addition, Edward's daughter Elizabeth was promised in marriage to the Dauphin Charles, the future Charles VIII of France, although this marriage never took place.

The treaty also included a seven-year truce, during which the English and French were to refrain from any acts of aggression against each other. This was a significant development, as it marked a break in the cycle of warfare that had characterised Anglo-French relations for over a century.

The Treaty of Picquigny was a pragmatic solution to a complex problem. It allowed Edward IV to save face and return to England with a substantial sum of money, while Louis XI was able to secure his kingdom without having to fight a costly war. However, the treaty was not universally popular. Many in England felt that Edward IV had sold out to the French, while in France there was resentment at the large sums of money paid to the English king. Despite these criticisms, the Treaty of Picquigny was a significant step towards the eventual resolution of the Hundred Years' War.