'L' Histoire de France en 80 Gags', portraying the Siege of Calais (1347), when English king Edward III sieged Calais and afterwards wanted the six members of the city council to offer their lives to him, so he might spare the rest of the citizens. The six politicians showed their humility by wearing gowns, ropes around their necks and offering the keys of the city gates. Edward's wife, Philippa of Hainaut, pleaded for mercy on their behalf and the king fulfilled her request. Translation: "But your Majesty, you're not going to hang all those poor citizens?" - "I might just embarrass them...". - "That's too shameful, too unfair, too..., too..." - "That's not going to break the heart of those who see you sobbing."
Jean Pouzet was the illustrator of a historical gag comic, 'L'Histoire de France en 80 Gags' (1967-1969), written by Reiser and published in Pilote. A book collection under the title 'L'Histoire de France en 100 Gags' was published by Dargaud in 1969. Pouzet continued to illustrate for the magazine's editorial pages until the mid-1970s. He passed away in 1985.
'L'Histoire de France en 80 Gags', referencing the vase of Soissons incident (486). After Frankish king Clovis conquered the city Soissons. The bishop of Reims asked him if he could at least return a prestigious vase to them. Clovis agreed to give the vase of Soissons back, but one soldier deliberately broke it. Clovis later killed the soldier for disobedience. Translation: "Who broke the vase of Soissons? WHO BROKE THE VASE OF SOISSONS? Nobody answers? Well, then, you all get a 'zero'!".