Editing Charles VII of France (section)

==Treaty of Troyes (1420)==
At the death of Charles' father Charles VI in October 1422, the succession was cast into doubt. Under the [[Treaty of Troyes]], signed by Charles VI on 21 May 1420, the throne would pass to Henry V or his heir. Henry had died in July 1422: his heir was the infant King [[Henry VI of England]], son of Henry and Charles VI's daughter [[Catherine of Valois]]. However, Frenchmen loyal to the Valois regarded the treaty as invalid on grounds of coercion and Charles VI's diminished mental capacity. Those who did not recognize the treaty and believed the Dauphin Charles to be of legitimate birth considered him the rightful heir to the throne. Those who considered Charles illegitimate recognized as the rightful heir [[Charles, Duke of Orléans]], cousin of the Dauphin, who was in English captivity. Only the supporters of Henry VI and the Dauphin Charles were able to enlist sufficient military force to press effectively for their candidates. The English, already in control of northern France, enforced Henry's claim in the regions of France that they occupied. Northern France, including Paris, was thus ruled by an English regent, Henry V's brother, [[John of Lancaster, Duke of Bedford]], based in Normandy (see [[Dual monarchy of England and France]]).