Duchy of Vasconia - Later History

Later History

After Sans' death, the Duchy of Vasconia, between the Adur and the Garonne, gradually became the Duchy of Gascony, moving away from the history of the Basque Country as the romance language (Gascon) took hold in the 'greater Gascony', so stripping the name of its former ethnic connotations and taking on a political one. By the 11th century Basque language is believed to extend on the north-east onto the upper reaches of the Adour river, way short of its extension 300 years before.

The Duchy of Gascony would fall under Pamplonese influence during Sancho the Great's reign. In 1032, it was inherited by the heir of Aquitaine and became personally united to that duchy thereafter. It thus became a part of the Angevin Empire in the 12th century. The ducal title was reemployed by Edward Longshanks and it formed a base of support for the English during the Hundred Years' War. It has been called England's first foreign colony.

England lost Gascony as a result of its defeat in the Hundred Years' War, and the region became a permanent part of France.