House of Harcourt - The Harcourts and The Hundred Years' War

The Harcourts and The Hundred Years' War

As with several Norman lords, several Harcourt possessions in England and France were placed in a difficult position during the wars between the Capetians and Plantagenets. In this context, the Harcourt family played a game all of its own, simultaneously independent of both the king of France and king of England. Geoffroy de Harcourt led King Edward III and the English Army into Normandy during the Crecy campaign as well as being involved in a reconnaissance mission that ended in a skirmish between Geoffroy of Harcourt and his elder brother, the Comte de Harcourt, at Rouen. Geoffroy of Harcourt was also placed in charge of Edward III's personal safety during the Battle of Crecy. Also, after Philip II's conquest of Normandy in 1204, the Harcourts habitually became the head of feudal movements against the king of France.