One of the chief tools in this process was the Parlement of Paris, which allowed people to appeal the decisions of lower courts.

During these appeals their possessions were under the direct protection of the Crown, weakening one of the most important privileges of the nobility: that of jurisdiction over their own lands.

Thus, unless he wanted a direct confrontation, Edward II could do little but watch the duchy dwindle away as numerous small cases were decided against him.

On 15 October 1323, a royal sergeant arrived at Saint-Sardos and erected a stake bearing the arms of the King of France.

Ralph Basset, the Seneschal of Gascony and highest English official in France, had met with Raymond-Bernard only two days before the raid.

On 21 December 1323, Edward II's chief advocate in the Parlement, Pons Tournemire, his proctor in the assembly, was seized and imprisoned in the Châtelet.

The embassy was led by Edmund of Woodstock, Earl of Kent and the Archbishop of Dublin Alexander de Bicknor.

The ambassadors received a chilly welcome when they arrived at Paris and first promised that Montpezat would be surrendered and that Edward II would come to Amiens on 1 July to do homage.

Aided by local nobles, such as the Count of Foix and the Lord of Albret, and approximately 7,000 troops,[citation needed] Charles of Valois swept through the region and ended the war less than six weeks after it had begun.

The stiffest resistance came from the Earl of Kent at La Réole, who managed to hold out for a few weeks before he surrendered on 22 September.

However, Charles IV made it known that he would not insist upon enforcing the total forfeiture if Edward II ceded the Agenais to him and did homage for the rest of the duchy.

Hugh le Despenser, the Elder, whose military ineptitude and failure to relieve La Réole had led to the quick collapse of English resistance, was forced to send Queen Isabella to France to negotiate terms.