Somme towns

They became strategically important in the conflict between the kings of France and the Valois dukes of Burgundy as they formed a defensive line between the French royal domain and the Burgundian Netherlands.

[15] Picardy, the region in north eastern France in which they were located, lay between the French royal domain in the Île-de-France and the dukes' Low Countries possessions, the Burgundian Netherlands.

[18] It was initially settled by the Treaty of Arras, 1435, by which Charles VII of France transferred the Somme towns to Philip the Good of Burgundy.

It was not an absolute transfer, however, as the towns were security for a loan to Charles and could be bought back by the French king at any time for 400,000 écus.

[19][21] This was a major triumph for Louis in the early years of his reign as it formed a key part of his strategy to extend the royal domain and power.