Pale of Calais

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The Pale of Calais (French: Calaisis) is a historical region of France that was controlled by the English.

After the Battle of Crécy in 1346, Edward III of England, having renounced the throne of France, kept some territory within France, namely Aquitaine and the area around Calais, under the Treaty of Brétigny, signed on the 8th May 1360. The area of the Pale of Calais comprised the communes of: Andres, Balinghem, Bonningues-les-Calais, Calais, Campagne, Coquelles, Coulogne, Fréthun, Guemps, Guînes, Hames-Boucres, Hervelinghen, Marck, Nielles-les-Calais, Nouvelle-Eglise, Offekerque, Oye-Plage, Peuplingues, Pihen-les-Guines, Sangatte, Saint-Pierre, Saint-Tricat and Vieille-Eglise.

By 1453, at the end of the Hundred Years War, it was the only part of France to remain in English hands. Despite some squabbles over the next hundred years, it was considered a part of England (at least, by the English). The area was finally ceded to France in 1558 by Mary of England after French troops, led by Francis, Duke of Guise, took the town of Calais.