Pale of Calais

The Pale of Calais was a territory in north France. It was ruled by the monarchs of England from 1347 to 1558. England took the area after the Battle of Crécy in 1346 and the Siege of Calais. This led to the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360, in the reign of Edward III of England. It became an important area for England. The area had Flanders, which was important for textile trading.

The Pale also gave England a strategic outpost. From their they were able to have military action on the continent. Since it was on the English Channel, it was able to be reinforced over the Straits of Dover. The territory was bilingual. Both English and Flemish were spoken.

During the reign of Mary I of England, the Pale was retaken by the French in a siege in 1558. After that, the English textile trade moved to the Habsburg Netherlands.

Related pages
 English claims to the French throne

Notes

References

Category:14th century in England
Category:14th century in France
Category:15th century in England
Category:15th century in France
Category:16th century in England
Category:16th century in France
Category:Hundred Years' War
Category:1347 establishments
Category:1558 disestablishments
Category:1340s establishments in England
Category:1550s disestablishments in Europe
Category:Disestablishments in France
Category:Disestablishments in England
Category:Establishments in France