> What's natural about this? Where is the center of power of the French crown? And then measure how far away the lowlands are. The French kings have been stru

> What's natural about this? Where is the center of power of the French crown? And then measure how far away the lowlands are. The French kings have been struggling to control Flanders for literally more the 1000 years. Given how much larger and richer France was, and how incredibly valuable that land is, the most successful military in history should have managed it. > Those countries had been fendong off occupyers for centuries Yes but if they had been opposed by the best military in history then they shouldn't have been able to.