Hundred Years' War: England vs. France

Summary

The Hundred Years War (1337-1453) was a prolonged conflict between England and France, primarily over control of the French throne. Triggered by a dispute over succession, the war saw key battles like Crécy, Poitiers, and Agincourt, shifting between periods of intense fighting and fragile truces. French resistance, led by figures like Joan of Arc, and strategic reforms under Charles VII eventually turned the tide in favor of France. By 1453, the English were driven out of nearly all French territory, marking the end of the medieval era and the rise of modern military tactics and nation-states.

Takeaways

• 😀 In 1328, after the death of the Capetian royal family, the French throne became contested, leading to the Hundred Years' War.
• 😀 Philip VI of France ascended the throne after being supported by French feudal lords, despite Edward III of England also claiming the French crown.
• 😀 The war began with Edward III's declaration of war after Philip VI confiscated the English-held Gascony in 1337.
• 😀 The English, led by Edward III, employed their renowned longbowmen, while the French suffered from lack of coordination and discipline in battle.
• 😀 Key battles, such as the Battle of Crécy (1346), saw major French defeats, leading to the English consolidating their territorial holdings in France.
• 😀 France struggled with internal divisions, including peasant uprisings and feudal infighting, which complicated efforts to counter the English invasion.
• 😀 Prince Charles, later Charles V, reformed the French military and effectively began turning the tide of war against the English after key defeats.
• 😀 Joan of Arc's rise in 1429 brought a turning point in the war, helping Charles VII secure his coronation and rallying French morale.
• 😀 Despite her capture and execution by the English, Joan of Arc became a symbol of French resistance and a catalyst for the eventual French victories.
• 😀 By 1453, the French had largely reclaimed their territory, with the English losing key cities, marking the end of the Hundred Years' War and the emergence of a unified French nation.
• 😀 The Hundred Years' War marked the end of the medieval chivalric age, as mercenaries and new military tactics, such as gunpowder artillery, became central to warfare.

Q & A

What was the initial cause of the Hundred Years' War?

The Hundred Years' War began due to a dispute over the French throne. After the death of the last Capetian king, Charles IV, in 1328, the throne was left vacant. Philip VI of Valois was crowned king, but Edward III of England, who was a descendant of the Capetian family through his mother, Isabella of France, also claimed the throne. The French nobility rejected Edward's claim, leading to war.

How did Philip VI consolidate power in France after taking the throne?

Philip VI consolidated his power by suppressing uprisings in Flanders and forming an alliance with Scotland. He also initiated military preparations, including the declaration of war against England over the control of Gascony, an English-occupied territory in France.

What was the significance of the Battle of Crécy in 1346?

The Battle of Crécy was a pivotal English victory. Despite being outnumbered, the English forces, led by Edward III, used their superior longbowmen and disciplined tactics to decisively defeat the French, showcasing the effectiveness of infantry and long-range weapons over traditional cavalry.

What role did the Black Prince play in the Hundred Years' War?

The Black Prince, Edward III's son, played a significant role in the war by leading English forces in raids across France, including the devastating pillaging of Aquitaine and Gascony. His successes on the battlefield, including the Battle of Poitiers in 1356, further cemented England's position in the war.

What were the causes of the internal unrest in France during the war?

Internal unrest in France was driven by several factors: the prolonged war, the failure to suppress peasant uprisings like the Jacquerie, and the conflict between feudal lords for control of regions. Additionally, power struggles between King Charles II of Navarre, who attempted to claim the throne, and other French factions, exacerbated tensions.

How did Joan of Arc influence the outcome of the war?

Joan of Arc had a significant impact on the war by rallying French forces during a critical period of English dominance. Her leadership in the lifting of the Siege of Orléans and the subsequent coronation of Charles VII in Reims boosted French morale and helped to turn the tide in favor of the French. Despite her capture and execution, Joan became a national heroine and symbol of resistance.

What was the importance of the Treaty of Troyes in 1420?

The Treaty of Troyes in 1420 was a significant turning point, as it established that upon the death of Charles VI of France, the French throne would pass to Henry V of England, who had married Charles's daughter, Catherine of Valois. This treaty effectively disinherited Charles VII, but it was ultimately rejected by the French nobility, leading to continued resistance against English control.

What military innovations did the French adopt to regain territory from the English?

The French adopted new military strategies and innovations, such as the use of gunpowder artillery, which played a crucial role in their victories. Additionally, Charles VII implemented military reforms, creating a professional standing army composed of mercenaries and reinforcing French discipline and coordination, which were key in regaining territories like Normandy and Aquitaine.

What was the role of the Burgundians in the Hundred Years' War?

The Burgundians played a pivotal role in the Hundred Years' War, initially siding with the English due to their own territorial ambitions. However, after the murder of their Duke, Philip the Good, they shifted allegiances back to France in 1435, which significantly weakened English prospects in the war. Their return to the French fold contributed to the eventual liberation of occupied French territories.

How did the Hundred Years' War impact the feudal system in France and England?

The Hundred Years' War contributed to the decline of the feudal system in both France and England. The shift from feudal levies to professional mercenaries and standing armies reduced the power of the traditional feudal lords. Additionally, the war accelerated the development of national identities, with both England and France transitioning towards more centralized, monarchial systems.