French (Age of Empires IV)/Mastery

Civilization

Technology tree

Mastery

Civilization

Technology tree

Mastery

In the face of invasion, plague and revolt, medieval France paved a hard-won path from adversity to prosperity. Once a land of fragmented rule bound to a code of chivalry, a unified nation emerged, forged under the roar of cannon fire.

Waste Not

Construct 4 resource drop-off buildings in the Dark Age (I).

Rewards

• French Coin Portrait
• Fun Fact: Cost of the Chevauchées

Fun Fact: Cost of the Chevauchées

In the early Hundred Years War, France funded its military by heavily taxing the peasantry. Realizing this, the English brought unfettered destruction on French agricultural lands and slaughtered the rural people. These "chevauchées" stifled France's spending and weakened its resistance to the English invasion. And, as so often happened, the peasants paid the price

Wheels of Burden

Research Horticulture, Double Broadaxe, and Specialized Pick before reaching the Castle Age (III).

Rewards

• Sheaf of Wheat Sigil
• Fun Fact: The Jacquerie Revolt

Fun Fact: The Jacquerie Revolt

In 1358, two weeks of bloody revolts raged throughout France. Crippled by taxation, struggling through famine, and victim to chevauchée raids, the peasantry of France arose against the lords who were supposed to protect them. Although brief, the revolt would be remembered as one of the most brutal class wars in French history.

French Novice

Win a game as the French.

Rewards

• Wolf Portrait
• Fun Fact: The Black Death

Fun Fact: The Black Death

In the mid-fourteenth century, the plague arrived in France. Victims' skin erupted in pus-filled buboes which turned black. They developed acute fever, then began vomiting blood. Death soon followed. In a few years, a quarter of France's population had died. But even such a cataclysm could only pause the Hundred Years War, and both sides soon took up arms again.

Horsing Around

Construct the School of Cavalry Landmark and then produce 20 cavalry units.

Rewards

• French Rider Portrait
• Fun Fact: Protection Money

Fun Fact: Protection Money

As the French countryside repeatedly came under attack from free companies of "Routiers", some people fled to cities, monasteries, or underground tunnels. Other towns were given the chance to protect themselves by paying large sums of "patis" to the mercenaries. This was an expensive choice, but paying up could spare a whole community from pillaging and violence.

Clever Commerce

Accrue 500 Food or Wood from Traders.

Rewards

• Fleur-de-lis Banner Pattern
• Fun Fact: Black Monday

Fun Fact: Black Monday

On Easter Monday, 1360, the French town of Chartres came under siege from England's Edward III. But that night, as winds rose and temperatures dropped, the town faced a storm of devastating proportions. Outside the walls, the English and their horses were struck down in their thousands by enormous hailstones. Chartres seemed to have received divine deliverance. Submitting to this apparent judgement on his war, Edward hastily signed a peace treaty.

In Shining Armor

Produce 40 Royal Knights from a Stable under the influence of a nearby Keep.

Rewards

• French Crossbow Portrait
• Fun Fact: A War of Treaties

Fun Fact: A War of Treaties

The Hundred Years War did not rage continuously. More than a dozen treaties and truces were made in attempts at peace. Each time, rulers might hand over lands, promise a daughter in marriage, or recognize their opponent as their lord. But the war would resume, only ending when all of France belonged to the French.

French Apprentice

Win 2 games as the French.

Rewards

• Shepherd Monument
• Fun Fact: A Dash for Glory

Fun Fact: A Dash for Glory

On 25 October 1415, the Battle of Agincourt raged in a mud-choked field. Desperate for acclaim, the French knight Anthony of Brabant, raced too quickly into battle, leaving his coat-of-arms behind. Overwhelmed by arrow fire, Brabant was quickly taken captive by the English. But lacking the heraldry to identify him as a noble, instead of being ransomed, he was executed.

Swift Bolts

Research Crossbow Stirrups and defeat 20 enemy units with Arbalétriers.

Rewards

• French Armored Cavalry Portrait
• Fun Fact: A Battle of Bows

Fun Fact: A Battle of Bows

At Crécy in 1346, France's ally, Genoa, sent their crossbowmen to face England's longbows, but rain had muddied the field, hampering their ability to reload. Crossbow stirrups would be held down by the foot as the archer drew back the string, but now they simply sunk into the mud. The Genoese retreated under rapid arrow fire, and were later hunter by the French as traitors.

Paint It Red

Construct the Red Palace Landmark and use it to kill 30 enemies.

Rewards

• Fleur-de-lis Sigil
• Fun Fact: The Champagne Fairs

Fun Fact: The Champagne Fairs

In the High Middle Ages, the county of Champagne was home to a year-round cycle of flourishing international trade fairs. Traders from all over Europe would converge to sell prized goods such as furs, silks, and textiles. As cultures mingled, Champagne became a powerful center of information. To not attend the fairs was to fall behind your neighbors

Master Craftsmen

Accrue 2,000 Food, Wood, Gold, or Stone from the Guild Hall Landmark in the Castle Age (III).

Rewards

• French Lancer Portrait
• Fun Fact: Staying in The Saddle

Fun Fact: Staying in The Saddle

As knights of the Middle Ages donned heavier and more protective armor, they needed increased support in the saddle. The front and back of the saddle became higher and more sturdy. With rigid wooden or metal frames, they would lock the knight into his seat, allowing him to ride on, even after taking a blow

French Adept

Win 5 games as the French.

Rewards

• French Blacksmith Portrait
• Crossbowman and Pavise Monument
• Fun Fact: King of Glass

Fun Fact: King of Glass

King Charles VI suffered from distressing delusions. He attacked his own men, forgot that he was king, and believed that his body was made of glass. After defeat to England at Agincourt, Charles signed a treaty that disinherited his own son from the throne of France. the future Charles VII would fight the war to win it back.

Fellowship

Win the match with a surviving army of 25 cavalry.

Rewards

• Blanche de Castile Portrait
• Crossbow Sigil
• Fun Fact: The Pavise

Fun Fact: The Pavise

After heavy defeats to the English longbows at Poitiers and Crécy, France made increasing use of the "pavise" - a convex, wooden, body-covering shield that planted into the ground and protected archers and crossbowmen as they reloaded. The pavise became so critical on the battlefield that France protected the trees used to make them.

Military Wharf

Kill 10 enemy units with Galleasses affected by the Armored Hull technology.

Rewards

• French Courtier Portrait
• Fun Fact: The Position of Honor

Fun Fact: The Position of Honor

A knight's battle lance was a solid, piercing spike that could kill in a single blow. And every knight wanted the chance to use it. Charging the enemy in straight lines, riding side by side, each lancer had the honor of occupying the front line. When victory was won using this "en haie" formation, each knight could claim his glory.

With A Flourish

Achieve a Wonder victory while 20 Traders are active.

Rewards

• Jeanne D'Arc Portrait
• Fun Fact: The Bureau Brothers

Fun Fact: The Bureau Brothers

In the final battles of the Hundred Years War, King Charles VII appointed two self-taught gunpowder experts to lead his new artillery division. Jean and Gaspard Bureau brought their cannons and their devastating tactics to the field. Arranging their guns in interlocking formations, they covered all angles of attack. Their bow-wielding English opponents were quickly defeated, leading to victory for France.

French Master

Win 10 games as the French.

Rewards

• Pointed Dag Banner Shape
• Royal Knight Monument
• Fun Fact: The Retrial of Jeanne d'Arc

Fun Fact: The Retrial of Jeanne d'Arc

Despite maintaining her innocence, Jeanne d'Arc was burned at the stake for heresy in 1431. But in a retrial 25 years later, she would emerge a martyr. The proceedings of her original trial were scrutinized and found unlawful; over a hundred witnesses attested to her piety. She was finally declared innocent - "washed clean of any taint of infamy."