The meeting was held because of Henry's great need to ally himself with a great continental power. The two kings had long been rivals, and at the field they went to extremes to impress one another. Cloth-of-gold pavilions, fountains flowing with wine, chivalric combats and ostentatious garb dazzled all beholders.
The two-week event nearly bankrupted both kings' treasuries, but politically had little result. No alliance was formed.
