England and France’s conflicts have been going on, it seems, since the beginning of time. Separated only by the English Channel the relationship has featured rebellions, massacres and general hatred for each other.
On this day December 4th, in 1259, the Treaty of Paris is signed. The treaty included a few land swaps, an annual rent which France would pay England for Agenais, and very importantly for Henry III, the French would remove their support of the English rebels.
Both kings began their reigns as children. Henry was crowned at the age of 9, and Louis at the age of 12, which was not uncommon due to a high infant mortality and a low life span. Many doubted the sincerity of this treaty from its onset, and some historians have attributed the treaty as one of the reasons for the 100 Years War between France and England beginning in 1337.