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That is intentional. Have you ever spoken with a cóherent sheep?
 
Originally posted by Arilou
That is intentional. Have you ever spoken with a cóherent sheep?

Nah, it was being eating grass at the time.
 
December 1483 saw yet another great step forward in the Unification of France, the last independent french Duchy (Brittany) finally accepted french sovereignity, this unification of the french territories was not complete however: The French king still claimed Béarn and Rousillion, two territories not given to them, the owner of Béarn was the kingdom of Portugal, in a small war 1485 the french attempted to seize the Pyreéneic province, however, for some inexplicable reason the Portugeuse refused to even DISCUSS handing the province over, even though it was occupied by french troops (OOC: Bug, the province just didn't show up on the list...) Instead the Iberian Inhabitants offered their French Foes the old Granadan Gibraltar. The French of course accepted the gift, and instantly handed the small province over to a descendant of the Sultan of Granada.

Since a few years the french had lain claim to the Kingdom of Naples, a great victory for all right-thinking individuals. The Napolitans were unwilling to hand their fair kingdom over to the french however, so king Lois had no choice but to declare war. The First Napolitan war was a swift affair, french troops simply swarmed the kingdom and assaulted it's fortresses, unable to completely vanquish the Napolitans the french settled for the province of Apulia however.

The Second War for Naples in 1502 would prove yet another victory for the french arms, the napolitans were unable to withstand thier assault and within two years Naples was fully incorporated into France. The french king Lois (struck by temporary insanity that did not seem to hinder his ability to wage war) Exlaimed: "There is nothing more serene than working on your knitting while you wait for the BIG BAD WEREWOLF DOGGIES WHO COME AND CHEW OFF YOUR TOES IN THE DARK!"

The French people took this lesson to heart, for the next 72 years the french would know an unsurpassed era of peace and prosperity. Maps were traded with the Spaniards and Portugeuse (also others, whose name will not be mentioned here) Trade-posts were established, it is said that king Francóis exclaimed that his victories were 1337 in 1546, but most serious historians discount that rumour.



And now the Test!

Subject: France before the Wars of Religion.

1. What were the reasons for the hundred-years war? Examine and analyze the reasons for the French, English and Burgundian actions from 1419 to the end of the war. Examples of questions you should ask yourself are: Why did they act as they did? Could events have transpired differently? And what role did the sinister duck play in all of this (some say it was a reference to an acocryphal prophecy that the Duc of Lorraine would conquer the world).

2. What were the reasons for Jeanne d'Arc's rebellion? How did it end? Could it have ended differently? Discuss.

3. The Consolidation was an important part of French history, Why?

4. Why was the vassalization of Burgundy such a significant event?

5. Do you think the french claims on Naples were justified? Why?
 
When you've answered the questions please hand them over at the desk...
 
Originally posted by Arilou
1. What were the reasons for the hundred-years war? Examine and analyze the reasons for the French, English and Burgundian actions from 1419 to the end of the war. Examples of questions you should ask yourself are: Why did they act as they did? Could events have transpired differently? And what role did the sinister duck play in all of this (some say it was a reference to an acocryphal prophecy that the Duc of Lorraine would conquer the world).

One question at a time, please!. Now:

The Hundred Years' War was begun as a dynastic conflict between Edward III of England and Philippe IV of France.

(ignores rest of question)

2. What were the reasons for Jeanne d'Arc's rebellion? How did it end? Could it have ended differently? Discuss.

Jeanne d'Arc's rebellion began when she was forced to leave her command. It ended with a peaceful settlement between Charles and Jeanne. But it could have become bloody if Charles had not been so good with diplomacy.

3. The Consolidation was an important part of French history, Why?

It centralised the French kingdom and gave the King greater power.

4. Why was the vassalization of Burgundy such a significant event?

(no answer)

5. Do you think the french claims on Naples were justified? Why?

Yes, they did get them from Provence. And because they could back up the claim, it was legitimate. ;)

*hands paper in*

*probably failed* :( ;)
 
Hmm, Test Time.

Writes name at top of exam paper.
Writes - History GCSE


Thinks for a while......
Draws picture of a castle in the margin.
Sucks pen for a while......
Teacher thinks I'm suffering from blue tongue disease....

Writes ten lines on how a French peasant woman of 1520 would feel....
1) Worried about family
2) Worried where food will come from
3) Worried about dying in childbirth
4) Disappointed deodorant has not been invented yet.

Looks out of window.
Time is up - hands paper in.
This should be enough in the UK for GCSE pass.


Yep, the castle sketch did it, I have a B!
 
The following rant is pretty much verbatim from our teacher's mouth....

*sigh* the kind of students you get these days.... I want ANALYSIS! You can't just recount FACTS, you have to draw CONCLUSIONS and REFLECT over the them as well!
 
I'll just answer one question, ok?

The hundred years war was, as already mentioned, a dynastic conflic. However, it would turn out to be a much more important conflict. It shaped England into a seafaring nation, as all continental claims became useless and obsolete. It also shaped France into a nation, instead of a conglomerate of vassals.

(Is this enough reflection? It usually is here in the Netherlands :D)
 
Hmmm... It would give you a "G" (which means you pass the test) but you wouldn't get higher grades for it.
 
Originally posted by Arilou
Hmmm... It would give you a "G" (which means you pass the test) but you wouldn't get higher grades for it.

It is the perfect GCSE answer.

In other words, BS.

UK GCSE history basically insults the name of subject.
 
Hmm, difficult questions. I'll try and answer them in as French a way as possible.

1. What were the reasons for the hundred-years war? Examine and analyze the reasons for the French, English and Burgundian actions from 1419 to the end of the war. Examples of questions you should ask yourself are: Why did they act as they did? Could events have transpired differently? And what role did the sinister duck play in all of this (some say it was a reference to an acocryphal prophecy that the Duc of Lorraine would conquer the world).

Well obviously the reason for the 100 years war was the greed and insatiable ambition of the Plantagenet house of England for power. Sadly some treacherous nobles supported the non-existent Plantagenet claims to the throne.

2. What were the reasons for Jeanne d'Arc's rebellion? How did it end? Could it have ended differently? Discuss.

There was no rebellion, it was manufactured by later protestant authors with the intention of weakening France.

3. The Consolidation was an important part of French history, Why?

Before this, French puddings were widely regarded as inferior to English puddings. With the consolidation, puddings became better than ever before, leading to a much greater confidence of the French royal house in their puddings.

4. Why was the vassalization of Burgundy such a significant event?

It allowed the French to drink Burgundy, by far the best wine until Australian wine, and thus gave them "Dutch Courage".

5. Do you think the french claims on Naples were justified? Why

Of course, completely justified, Why shouldn't France rule some piece of land far away from them inhabited by people who hated the French?
 
Excellent answers :)

I will probably continue with the Wars of Religion sometime next week...
 
Originally posted by stnylan
It is the perfect GCSE answer.

In other words, BS.

UK GCSE history basically insults the name of subject.

That's one of my many, many bugbears. Knowledge of history is at an appallingly low level in this country and the history GCSE must take its share of the blame.
 
The wars of Religion in France began officialy in 1572, when rebel movements all over France sprang up to defy the monarchy. This widespread rebellion had several causes: Among the chief ones were the quiet support the Reformation recieved by the Kings of France: The ultra-catholic elements of French society would not stand for it, and revolts broke out all over France.

The apparent defection of France out of the catholic fold had widespread repurcussions: Arguably the strongest state in Europe had joined the Reformation! The other catholic states of Europe shuddered in fear: The very fate of catholicism depended upon the success of the french catholic's weapons.
league1.jpg

French Soldiers during the War of Religion

The trust of the Papacy, Spain and others in the prowess of the French Catholics proved to be unfounded: In battle after battle the Protestants proved victorious: Henri IV smashed the Catholic forces in battle after battle, finally, in July 1592 he captured Paris, ending the wars of religion in a stunning victory for the Reformation.

The Catholic response did not wait however, only a few months after Henri's victory an alliance of three states, Luxembourg, Modena and Helvetia, declared that they would henceforth be in a state of War with the Kingdom of France. Their folly was demonstrated as the french armies smashed the luxembourgers at the battle of the Rivers in 1593, forcing them to accept the Reformed faith, only two years later, in 1595, the italian principality Modena surrendered to the french, accpeting a forceful conversion.

The wars did not end however, Savoy and Strassbourg were the next pair of catholic states to join in the battle, both were forced to abondon catholicism, the reformed principaliy of Pfalz was also foolish enough to join in the war against France: They paid with it by giving up 50% of their tax-incomes to the french.

At this time another event of note occurred: Samuel de Champlain befriended the Hurons, his enormous and important exploits also helped the french to a great deal of knowledge about the Northern part of the American Continent.