Skip to main content

Primary sourceDocument21 May 1420

Treaty of Troyes

21 May 1420

The 1420 treaty that disinherited the French Dauphin in favor of Henry V of England, creating the succession crisis Joan of Arc later set out to resolve.

This treaty disinherited the future Charles VII, the king Joan would later help crown, setting up the crisis she resolved.

Ask Joan of Arc about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Photograph of a large medieval parchment document with dense Latin handwriting in black ink, an ornate decorated initial letter at upper left, and a long strip of parchment at the bottom. A dark green wax seal hangs from cords at the bottom center on a light background.
Treaty of Troyes, 21 May 1420. Troyes Cathedral.

About this source

What it is

Sealed on 21 May 1420 in Troyes Cathedral, this treaty was an agreement between Henry V of England and Charles VI of France. It stated that Henry and his heirs would succeed Charles VI on the French throne, disinheriting Charles's son, the Dauphin Charles, who would later become Charles VII. The document survives at Troyes Cathedral.

Why it matters

This treaty created the succession crisis that defined the world Joan of Arc stepped into years later. Her mission to crown the disinherited Dauphin as Charles VII directly challenged the authority this treaty had tried to establish, making her actions a rejection of its terms.

Look closer

  • Why would a king sign away his own son's right to inherit the throne?
  • What does the sealed, ornate document tell you about how seriously treaties were treated?
  • How might Joan of Arc's actions be seen as a direct response to this treaty?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Joan of Arc on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Joan of Arc sources

Meet the AI Joan of Arc →
Letter

Primary source

Letter to the English

Joan of Arc · 22 March 1429

Engraved plate titled Vol II Pl XXXVIII showing an elevation of a tall, ornate Gothic-style fountain with classical columns, statues, and a sculpted figure, above a plan diagram of its circular and triangular base. Caption below names Rouen and the Maid of Orleans, burnt 1430.Artifact

Secondary source

Fountain on the Site of Joan of Arc's Execution

James Basire · 21 April 1786

Brown ink sketch in a manuscript margin of a long-haired figure in profile facing left, holding a pole with a banner and a sword pointing right. Beside it is handwritten Latin text and a word 'Mercredi' at the bottom.Painting

Primary source

Marginal Drawing of Joan of Arc

Clément de Fauquembergue · May 1429

Black ink handwritten signature reading "Jeanne" on white background, with a tall stroke rising from the lower left, a looping J-like initial, and a cursive "anne" with a descending tail.Document

Primary source

Signature of Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc · 16 March 1430

Photograph of a medieval handwritten letter on aged, yellowed parchment or paper with a torn right edge. Dense brown-ink cursive script runs in lines across the page, with a signature in the lower right reading 'Jehan' with a long flourish. Faint stains and creases are visible.Letter

Primary source

Letter to the People of Riom

Joan of Arc · 9 November 1429

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Joan of Arc now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions