ABSTRACT
When Henry V left the French capital in late December 1420 to return to England, he was still, it seems, without misgivings. He had appointed Thomas, Duke of Clarence, as Lieutenant of France in his absence and given the guardianship of King Charles to the Duke of Exeter. And for the time being at least, there seemed little imminent danger. On the contrary, the provincial parliament of Normandy’s officials and nobles that convened that month seemed to confirm the King of England’s growing authority. Not only did Arthur of Brittany pay homage for his Norman lands, but the Count of Armagnac, whose father had formerly headed the Dauphinist cause, also sent deputies to offer his submission. Depressed by heavy losses and with the former heir to the French throne reduced to outlaw status, there seemed little other choice.
