Mad War

The Mad War was a revolt of great feudal lords against the French crown between 1485 and 1488, fought during the regency of Anne of Beaujeu for the young Charles VIII. Louis of Orléans, Francis II of Brittany and several other nobles sought to push aside the regent and keep royal power weak, and they were backed by England, Spain and Austria. The regent broke the first phase of the revolt mostly by diplomacy and shows of force, and the Peace of Bourges suspended hostilities in November 1485. Fighting resumed in 1486 and ended when the royal army under Louis II de la Trémoille defeated the Breton forces at Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier on 28 July 1488. The Treaty of Sablé followed in August 1488, and the lasting result was the absorption of Brittany into the French kingdom. The name is a later derogatory label, and historians dispute whether the events form one war.