Cause of the War of the Whiskers Between France and England

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About the war between France and England that lasted over 300 years but started when King LouiS VII refused to grow a beard.

YEAR: 1152

WAR: War of the Whiskers

PLACE: France

OPPONENTS: France v. England

PROVOCATION: When bearded King Louis VII of France was married to Eleanor, daughter of a French duke, he received a dowry of 2 provinces in southern France. Coming home from the Crusades, King Louis VII shaved off his beard. Wife Eleanor said he was ugly without beard. He refused to grow whiskers back. Eleanor divorced him, married King Henry II of England, demanded return of her dowry of 2 provinces for new husband. King Louis would not release them. King Henry declared war to regain dowry by force.

RESULT: The war raged 301 years. Peace declared in 1453, after Battle of Rouen.


© 1975 - 1981 by David Wallechinsky & Irving Wallace
Reproduced with permission from "The People's Almanac" series of books.
All rights reserved.

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