Understanding the Hundred Years’ War
The Hundred Years’ War was a long and complex conflict between England and France that lasted from 1337 to 1453 (Middle Ages). Despite its name, the war didn’t last exactly 100 years. Instead, it spanned 116 years, with periods of intense fighting interspersed with times of uneasy peace. The war had many causes, significant battles, and lasting effects that shaped both nations. France won the Hundred Years’ War. English had lost almost all their lands in France territory, except for the port of Calais.
Why Did the Hundred Years’ War Start?
The roots of the Hundred Years’ War go deep into the history of both England and France. The main cause was a dispute over who had the right to rule France. When the French King Charles IV died in 1328 without a male heir, a power struggle began. The French nobles chose Philip VI, a cousin of Charles IV, to be the new king. However, Edward III of England also had a claim to the French throne. His mother, Isabella, was the sister of Charles IV, and Edward believed this gave him the right to be king of France.
But the war wasn’t just about who should wear the French crown. It was also about land and power. England had long-held territories in France, particularly in a region known as Aquitaine. The French wanted to bring these lands under their control. Trade was another big factor. The wool trade, which was vital to the English economy, was closely tied to the French region of Flanders. Control over this trade route was another point of contention.
Key Phases of the War
The Hundred Years’ War can be divided into several key phases, each marked by significant battles, changing alliances, and shifts in momentum.
The Edwardian Phase (1337-1360)
The first phase of the war began under Edward III. It started with naval battles and raids along the French coast. One of the most famous early battles was the Battle of Crécy in 1346, where the English army, using longbows, defeated a much larger French force. This was a major victory for England and demonstrated the effectiveness of the longbow, which became a symbol of English military power.
Another key event in this phase was the capture of Calais by the English in 1347. Calais became a crucial English stronghold in France for many years.
In 1356, the English achieved another major victory at the Battle of Poitiers. Here, Edward the Black Prince, the son of Edward III, captured the French King John II, leading to a temporary peace known as the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360. Under this treaty, England gained control of large territories in France.
The Caroline Phase (1369-1389)
The peace didn’t last long. In 1369, the war resumed under the leadership of Charles V of France, who sought to regain the lands lost to the English. This phase of the war saw the French using more guerrilla tactics, avoiding large battles and instead harassing English-held territories. This strategy slowly began to turn the tide in favor of the French.
One of the most notable figures during this time was Bertrand du Guesclin, a skilled French general who recaptured many towns and fortresses from the English. By the end of this phase, much of the territory that England had gained in the Treaty of Brétigny was back in French hands.
The Lancastrian Phase (1415-1453)
The final phase of the Hundred Years’ War is often called the Lancastrian Phase, named after the English royal house of Lancaster. This phase began with a dramatic English victory at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. King Henry V of England led his troops to a stunning win, despite being outnumbered by the French.
Following Agincourt, Henry V made significant gains in France. In 1420, he signed the Treaty of Troyes, which recognized him as the heir to the French throne. This seemed to secure English dominance in France, but it was short-lived.
After Henry V’s death in 1422, the situation began to change. The French, inspired by a young peasant girl named Joan of Arc, began to rally. Joan claimed to have visions from God telling her to support Charles VII, the French dauphin, in his struggle against the English. Her involvement was a turning point in the war. In 1429, she led the French to a crucial victory at the Siege of Orléans.
Joan of Arc was captured by the English in 1430 and executed the following year, but her legacy lived on. The French continued to reclaim territory, and by 1453, they had driven the English out of all their lands in France except for Calais.
The Impact of the Hundred Years’ War
The Hundred Years’ War had a profound impact on both England and France. In France, the war helped to unify the country. Before the war, France was a patchwork of semi-independent regions. The conflict helped to centralize power in the hands of the king and solidify the sense of a French national identity.
For England, the war was both costly and transformative. The financial strain of the war led to social unrest and political upheaval. The war also marked the end of the medieval feudal system in England, as the importance of a knight-based army diminished in favor of more modern military tactics.
The war also left a legacy of animosity between the two nations, which would influence their relations for centuries to come. However, it also contributed to the development of more professional and disciplined armies and laid the groundwork for the rise of powerful monarchies in both countries.
10 Most Common Questions About The Hundred Years’ War
1. What was the Hundred Years’ War and Who won the Hundred Years’ War?
The Hundred Years’ War was a long series of conflicts between England and France that lasted from 1337 to 1453. Despite its name, the war actually lasted 116 years. It was mainly fought over who should be the rightful king of France, along with disputes over land and trade. France won the Hundred Years’ War. By 1453, the English had lost almost all their lands in France, except for the port of Calais.
2. Why did the Hundred Years’ War start?
The war started because of a dispute over the French throne. When the French King Charles IV died without a male heir, both Edward III of England and Philip VI of France claimed the right to be the king. Edward believed he had a strong claim through his mother, who was Charles IV’s sister. The conflict over this claim, combined with tensions over land and trade, led to the outbreak of war.
3. Who were the key figures in the Hundred Years’ War?
Some of the key figures include Edward III of England, who first claimed the French throne, and his son, Edward the Black Prince. On the French side, there was King Charles V and Joan of Arc, the peasant girl who became a French heroine. Henry V of England also played a major role during the later stages of the war, especially after his victory at Agincourt.
4. What were the most important battles in the Hundred Years’ War?
Some of the most important battles include the Battle of Crécy in 1346, where the English longbowmen won a decisive victory, and the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, where Henry V’s forces triumphed against overwhelming odds. The Siege of Orléans in 1429 was also crucial, as it marked a turning point in favor of the French, largely due to Joan of Arc’s leadership.
5. How did the Hundred Years’ War end?
The war ended in 1453 with the Battle of Castillon, where the French defeated the English. By that time, the English had lost almost all their territories in France except for the port of Calais. The Treaty of Picquigny in 1475 officially ended hostilities between the two nations, although fighting had mostly ceased by 1453.
6. What was the impact of the Hundred Years’ War on France?
The war had a profound impact on France. It helped to centralize power in the French monarchy and fostered a stronger sense of national identity. The conflict also devastated large parts of the French countryside, leading to economic hardship and population decline. However, by the end of the war, France emerged as a more unified and powerful nation.
7. How did the Hundred Years’ War affect England?
For England, the war was costly both financially and in terms of lives lost. It contributed to political instability and social unrest, which eventually led to the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars over control of the English throne. The war also marked the decline of the medieval feudal system, as the importance of knights and traditional armies gave way to more modern military practices.
8. What role did Joan of Arc play in the Hundred Years’ War?
Joan of Arc played a crucial role in revitalizing the French cause during the later stages of the war. Claiming to have received visions from God, she inspired French troops and led them to key victories, including the Siege of Orléans in 1429. Her efforts helped to ensure the coronation of Charles VII as king of France. Although she was captured and executed by the English in 1431, her legacy continued to inspire the French.
9. Why is the Hundred Years’ War significant in history?
The Hundred Years’ War is significant because it shaped the future of both England and France. It led to the development of stronger, more centralized monarchies in both countries and laid the groundwork for the rise of nation-states in Europe. The war also saw the evolution of military tactics and the decline of feudalism, marking a shift toward more modern forms of warfare.
10. What was the role of the longbow in the Hundred Years’ War?
The longbow was a game-changer in the Hundred Years’ War, particularly for the English. It allowed English archers to shoot arrows farther and with more power than the traditional crossbow. The longbow’s effectiveness was demonstrated in battles like Crécy and Agincourt, where English forces, despite being outnumbered, were able to defeat larger French armies. Its use marked a shift in military tactics and contributed to the decline of heavily armored knights on the battlefield.
Conclusion
The Hundred Years’ War was a defining conflict in the history of England and France. It was not just a series of battles but a long struggle that reshaped both nations. From its causes rooted in royal claims and territorial disputes to its lasting effects on national identity and political structures, the Hundred Years’ War is a key chapter in European history. Understanding this war gives us valuable insight into the medieval world and the forces that shaped modern Europe.
