Aquitaine became tied to the English crown while its nobles kept room to maneuver

English kings found it increasingly difficult to separate their royal policies from their status as dukes of Aquitaine, while French kings sought authority throughout France. Earlier Angevin lands had been united by their common ruler, but the remaining duchy became closely attached to the English crown. The 1254 grant of its revenues to Lord Edward, later Edward I, stipulated that they should remain with the crown permanently. Aquitaine still had complicated tenures, a strong Roman-law tradition, and frequently feuding nobles, so government depended heavily on persuasion. Some Gascon lords held lands from both kings and exploited their rivalry, while others maintained English loyalties despite French pressure and personal losses.