Mad War

Mad War
Part of the Anglo-French Wars

The Château de Vitré, one of the main fortifications on the Franco-Breton border.
Date1485–1488
Location
France
Result Royal victory
Belligerents
France

Rebellious nobles

Supported by:

Commanders and leaders
Charles VIII of France
Anne of France
Louis II de la Trémoille
René II, Duke of Lorraine
Francis II, Duke of Brittany
Jean IV de Rieux
Louis II, Duke of Orléans
Charles, Count of Angoulême
Odet d'Aydie
John IV of Orange
Alain d'Albret

The Mad War (French: la Guerre folle) was a late medieval conflict between a coalition of feudal lords and the French monarchy. It occurred during the regency of Anne of Beaujeu in the period after the death of Louis XI and before the majority of Charles VIII. The war began in 1485 and ended in 1488.

The principal lords involved were Louis II of Orléans, the cousin of the King (and future Louis XII of France); Francis II of Brittany; René II, Duke of Lorraine; Alain d'Albret; Jean de Châlon, Prince of Orange; and Charles, Count of Angoulême. Other leading lords supported the revolt, including Philippe de Commines and Odet d'Aydie, Count of Commines and Governor of Guyenne.

As a revolt against French royal authority, it was supported by the foreign enemies of the King of France: England, Spain, and Austria. Its principal outcome was the absorption of Brittany into the French kingdom.