France has evolved from a feudal country to an increasingly centralized state (albeit with many regional differences) organized around a powerful absolute monarchy that rely on the doctrine of the Divine Right of Kings and the explicit support of the Gallican Church.

Mid-fifteenth century France is significantly smaller than it is today, and numerous border provinces (such as Roussillon, Cerdagne, Calais, Béarn, Navarre, County of Foix, Flanders, Artois, Lorraine, Alsace, Trois-Évêchés, Franche-Comté, Savoy, Bresse, Bugey, Gex, Nice, Provence, and Brittany) are autonomous or foreign-held (as by the Holy Roman Empire); there are also foreign enclaves, like the Comtat Venaissin.

In addition, certain provinces within France are ostensibly personal fiefdoms of noble families (like the Bourbonnais, Marche, Forez and Auvergne provinces held by the House of Bourbon.)

The Duke of Burgundy has assembled a large territory including his native duchy and the Burgundian Netherlands.

Le Dauphin, the son of France’s King Charles VII, has ruled efficiently in the Dauphiné, but in 1456 his father seizes the land and drives his son into exile at the Burgundian court.

Their respective advisors, in purposely encourage the misunderstandings between father and son, enable the continuation of the feud.

The Transfer of Béarn's Capital to Pau (1459)

In 1459, the sovereign principality of Béarn, a strategically significant territory in the foothills of the Pyrenees, shifted its capital from Orthez to ...

...the burgeoning town of Pau. This pivotal relocation, spearheaded by Gaston IV of Foix-Béarn, marked a decisive moment in Béarn's assertion of its autonomy during a period when powerful neighbors—particularly the English, Spanish, and French crowns—were increasingly encroaching upon its independence.

Political and Military Context

Moving the capital to Pau allowed Béarn to assert greater administrative and military control at a crucial geographic crossroads, fortifying the principality’s defensive position against rival regional powers. The new capital, strategically positioned near the mountains, facilitated more effective governance and stronger defense networks, crucial for Béarn's continued autonomy amidst the shifting alliances and territorial ambitions of England, France, and Castile-Aragon.

Cultural and Economic Impact

The establishment of Pau as the new administrative center encouraged cultural and economic growth. It quickly evolved into a regional hub for commerce and diplomacy, drawing merchants, artisans, and scholars from throughout Atlantic Southwest Europe. This shift fostered cultural development and economic prosperity, enhancing Béarn’s reputation as a stable, influential entity amid the fractious political landscape of late medieval Europe.

Artistic and Cultural Significance

The relocation to Pau prompted significant cultural developments, transforming the city into a dynamic cultural and intellectual center. Enhanced patronage led to architectural expansions, including the construction of significant structures such as the fortified Château de Pau, later famous as the birthplace of future French King Henry IV. This period laid foundations for Pau's later prominence in art, architecture, and cultural identity within the region.

Long-Term Consequences

The principality's choice to relocate its capital to Pau solidified Béarn's autonomy and resilience during a turbulent period, shaping its distinctive regional identity. Béarn would continue to navigate complex relationships with neighboring powers, including France, Spain, and England, maintaining its cultural and political distinctiveness into subsequent centuries. This historical shift in 1459 remains emblematic of Béarn’s enduring determination to retain its independence amid broader geopolitical transformations in Atlantic West Europe.

Civil war breaks out with the peasant revolt of the remences led by Francesc de Verntallat in February 1462.

The peasant revolts against the Consell del Principat with the hope of receiving royal support: Juna works hard to stoke anti-Busca sentiment in Barcelona.

A plot by some former Busca in support of the queen had been publicized in April, and the deputy leader of the Consell, Francesc Pallarès, along with two former leaders, is executed in May.

At the same time, the Consell del Principat has formed an army to put down the rebellion of the remences.

The army of the Consell is placed under the command of Hug Roger III, Count of Pallars Sobirà, commander of the army of the Generalitat.

After besieging and capturing Hostalric on 23 May, …

Treaties of Sauveterre and Bayonne (1462)

In early May 1462, King John II of Aragon and Navarre solidified a significant diplomatic and military alliance with the French King Louis XI, signing two treaties at Sauveterre (May 3) and ...

...Bayonne (May 9). These treaties, crucially strategic for both rulers, obligated Louis XI to provide John with seven hundred lances, equivalent to roughly 4,200 mounted knights and their attendants. In exchange, John agreed to pay tribute, aligning Navarre more closely with French interests and significantly shifting the political balance within the region.

Political and Military Context

These treaties came at a delicate moment for King John of Navarre, whose internal dynastic struggles had left his position unstable. Earlier, in April 1461, at Olite, Louis XI had already endorsed John's controversial decision to disinherit his eldest daughter, Blanche II of Navarre, in favor of his younger daughter, Eleanor, and her husband, Gaston IV, Count of Foix. Blanche, initially handed over to Eleanor and Gaston's custody, was later imprisoned and ultimately poisoned in 1464, further highlighting the ruthless political dynamics of the period.

The agreements at Sauveterre and Bayonne solidified Louis XI’s support for John’s dynastic rearrangements, revealing Louis’s pragmatic willingness to intervene in Navarre’s internal affairs in return for political influence.

Economic and Territorial Implications

As part of these treaties, Louis XI reinforced French influence over Navarre, which provided a critical buffer zone along France's southern border. By committing French military resources to John, Louis ensured greater security against potential incursions from Castile and Aragón, while simultaneously solidifying French political and economic influence in the Pyrenean region.

Dynastic and Cultural Consequences

The agreement notably reshaped Navarre’s dynastic landscape, affirming Eleanor and Gaston of Foix’s future inheritance at the expense of Blanche. The tragic outcome of Blanche’s imprisonment and murder revealed the brutal realities underpinning dynastic politics during this period. These actions not only had immediate political repercussions but set a troubling precedent for ruthless dynastic conflict in Navarre and the broader region.

Long-Term Significance

The treaties signed at Sauveterre and Bayonne significantly deepened Navarre's political ties to France, ultimately shaping the kingdom's future trajectory. By securing the line of succession through Eleanor and Gaston, the agreements reshaped the dynastic landscape, fostering complex, lasting tensions between Navarre, Foix, and France. Moreover, Blanche's tragic fate underscored the brutal methods employed by rival claimants to solidify power, exemplifying the often volatile intersection of dynastic politics and interstate diplomacy in late medieval Atlantic West Europe.

…Hug Roger marches on Gerona, where he is received warmly on June 6 while the queen and the prince take refuge in the citadel, the Força Vella ("old fort"), throughout the month.

John II takes his first major offensive against the Principality by occupying Balaguer on June 5.