C'est la Guerre - Parade Ground

[Duchy of Guyenne
Viscountcy of Thouars
Region of Poitou
Countship of Angouleme]

The Duchy of Guyenne occupies the southwest corner of France, and was the region also known as Aquitaine. But since the latter is what the goddam English called it, we shall only refer to it as Guyenne. The lion is supposed to have blue claws and tongue. In 1358 it was attached to the English crown.

The town and Viscountcy of Thouars are in western France, about thirty miles northwest of Poitiers. Louis de Thouars was Viscount until 1370, but the family was apparently strong supporters of the English. In 1372, the town was taken by Bertrand du Guesclin and said supporters of the goddam English evicted. I find the shield itself to be very interesting, being for the most part a reverse of the royal arms.

The Province of Poitou is in southwestern France, north of Bordeaux and bordering the Atlantic, and formed part of Aquitaine. The province fell in and out of English domination, including the period from 1360 to 1369.

The Countship of Angoulême is in southwest France south of the province of Poitou, north of Guyenne, and bordering the Atlantic. Do not confuse it (as I have) with the province of Anjou!. In 1302 the countship passed to the crown, and was transferred to the house of Orléans in 1394. This pattern is one of my favorites, for some strange reason. Given how much effort it took - using a mechanical pen to draw the dividing lines and then filling each and every tiny diamond - I suppose I am duty-bound to like it. After the experience, I can imagine how much effort it would take to paint an entire army of those checkerboard Gauls!