During the 14th and 15th centuries France was dominated by the English, who, through marriage and conquest, had gained control over large areas of what is modern France. Following the battle of Agincourt in 1415, Henry V of England married the daughter of the French king and briefly became king of France and England. On his death in 1422 the regency set up for his infant son was not strong enough to combat the growing sense of unity in France. In the later part of the 15th century the Wars of the Roses began in England and this diversion helped Louis XI of France to bring under his control many of the provinces, dukedoms and baronies which, through ever-changing allegiances, had prevented the formation of a unified nation.

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