During the Hundred Years’ War, most of Normandy fell to the English. Between 1423 and 1433, the handful of soldiers and knights who defended Mont-Saint-Michel warded off several attacks. Only once did the English enter the city, but they were eventually driven off the ramparts. In 1450, they left Normandy for good. The heroic resistance of the Mont had an enormous impact throughout France. The prestige of the archangel was reinforced and the king placed the kingdom of France under his protection.