The Hundred Years' War Overview
A Prolonged Struggle for Supremacy
in 1,000 words
The Hundred Years' War in 1,000 Words
The roots of hostilities between England and France can be traced back to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. Following his victory, William the Conqueror introduced a French lineage to the English monarchy, permanently intertwining England with France. Consequently, English monarchs held titles and lands in France and, as landowners, were obligated to pay homage to the King of France.
This tension escalated in 1328 with the death of King Charles IV of France. Edward III, reigning as King of England, possessed a strong claim to the French throne through his mother, Isabella, Charles IV's sister. However, much to Edward's anger, his claim was usurped. The French nobles used Salic law, that barred female descendants from inheriting the throne, to justify choosing Philip VI as the next King of France.
Edward did not push his royal claim immediately and even paid homage to Philip in 1329. However, the English still held substantial territories in France, notably the economically crucial region of Gascony, leading to continued tension. These tensions finally came to head, when in May 1336, Philip boldly attempted to recapture Gascony. The Hundred Years' War had begun.
Outbreak of war between Edward III and Philip VI
PHASE 1: THE EDWARDIAN WAR (1337-1360)
The Edwardian War encompassed the initial engagements of the Hundred Years' War. The war's inaugural chapter unfolded with the naval Battle of Sluys in 1340. The English fleet, masterfully organized under the leadership of Edward III, confronted the larger French armada in a high-stakes confrontation. With an extraordinary display of maritime prowess the English ships, loaded with deadly longbowmen, emerged as victors. This success secured England's control over the English Channel giving them the upper hand in the early part of the war.
The English triumph at Sluys was followed by a series of smaller battles across Brittany and Gascony. The next major engagement came in 1346 when the English launched an offensive in Normandy. After being chased down by the French army the English achieved an impressive victory at the Battle of Crécy. During this encounter, Edward III's longbowmen unleashed a relentless barrage of arrows, decimating the French cavalry charge and clinching a resounding victory. Edward went on to lead the siege of Calais ending in the capitulation of the town in August 1346, after which Edward and his army set sail back to England.
Another landmark battle of the Edwardian War was the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. Edward, the Black Prince, spearheaded a bold English expedition deep into French territory. Confronting King John II of France, the Black Prince displayed tactical brilliance by employing dismounted knights and leveraging the terrain to his advantage. The outcome was an overwhelming English victory, culminating in the capture of King John himself.
To end the first phase of the conflict, the Treaty of Bretigny was signed in 1360 heralding a temporary cessation of hostilities. Forged through negotiations between Edward III and John II, the treaty validated Edward's claims to extensive French territories while conceding significant terms to the English. Notable territories such as Calais and Bordeaux were relinquished to England, with a substantial ransom securing the release of King John from captivity.
The war did not end here. The peace was short-lived as the death of King John in 1364 and the subsequent ascension of his son, Charles V in 1369, reignited the flames of war.
Battle of Sluys (left) and Battle of Crécy (right)
PHASE II: THE CAROLINE WAR (1369-1389)
The Hundred Years' War progressed with Phase II, known as the Caroline War, unfolding from 1369 to 1389. This period was marked by a nuanced and calculated shift in strategy on the part of France, as they adopted a war of attrition to undermine England's hold onto their remaining territories. The Caroline War introduced a new era of conflict, characterized by the French guerrilla tactics and territorial reconquest.
Central to the Caroline War was the Battle of Pontvallain in 1370. Bertrand Du Guesclin, the newly appointed Constable of France, launched a surprise attack on the English forces at Pontvallain. Catching the English off guard, their archers, who had been instrumental in previous victories, were poorly positioned and thus ineffective against the French army. A fierce hand-to-hand battle ensued with the French inflicting heavy casualties on the English, virtually wiping out their forces.
The second defining battle of the Caroline war was the Battle of La Rochelle in 1372. Fought at sea, the French naval forces under Olivier de Clisson secured victory over the English fleet, capturing key English leaders. This victory disrupted England's maritime capabilities and further solidified France's strategy of attrition.
Amidst the battles, diplomatic efforts were made. The Treaty of Bruges in 1375 marked a brief moment of respite before hostilities resumed in 1377. Another attempt was made for peace between France, Scotland, and England, with the Truce of Leulinghem in 1389. This truce was intended to last for a period of 27 years but broke down in 1402 when Scotland invaded England in coordination with a revolt in Wales.
The Battle of La Rochelle in 1372
PHASE III: THE LANCASTRIAN WAR (1415-1453)
The Lancastrian War, spanning from 1415 to 1453, witnessed a resurgence of English power under the leadership of Henry V. The pivotal event of this phase was the iconic Battle of Agincourt in 1415. Henry's disciplined and innovative tactics, coupled with the formidable might of the English longbow, proved decisive. Faced with a French force outnumbering them several times over, the English triumphed through strategic positioning and terrain advantages allowing their longbowmen to unleash deadly hails of arrows on the French forces.
As the Lancastrian War progressed, a young peasant girl named Joan of Arc emerged. Her divine visions and fervent patriotism propelled her to rally the demoralized French forces. The turning point came with the Siege of Orléans in 1429. The city was under English siege and its citizens in a state of desperation. Joan's leadership and unwavering resolve infused new hope into the French defenders. Her miraculous efforts lifted the siege and changed the tide of the war. This victory not only rekindled French morale but also ignited a renewed sense of national unity.
The climax of Joan of Arc's impact came with the coronation of Charles VII in Reims Cathedral in 1429. During the coronation, Joan stood near Charles VII, holding her banner and symbolizing divine approval for his kingship. Her involvement added a layer of legitimacy to his claim, as her divine guidance was seen as confirmation of his rightful position. The coronation ceremony thus became a powerful statement against the English-occupied French territories and a testament to the resurgence of French authority.
Joan of Arc at Charles VII’s coronation
However, Joan's fate took a tragic turn. Captured by the Burgundians, she was handed over to the English, who put her on trial for heresy and witchcraft. In 1431, Joan was condemned and burned at the stake. Joan of Arc became a martyr and an enduring symbol of French resistance and courage.
The Lancastrian War continued through a series of battles and sieges. The Battle of Formigny, fought on April 15, 1450, stands as a defining moment in the Final Stages. French forces, under the command of the Count of Clermont and the young Dauphin Louis, confronted the English in Normandy. The French adopted a new approach, leveraging artillery and disciplined cavalry charges against their English counterparts. The outcome was a resounding victory for the French, marking their reclamation of Normandy after years of English control.
The climactic Battle of Castillon, waged on July 17, 1453, marked the ending of the Hundred Years' War. Here the French forces, led by Jean Bureau, faced off against the English under the command of John Talbot. The French deployed a formidable artillery contingent, incorporating cannons into their battle strategy with deadly effect. The cannons pounded the English defenses, creating breaches through which the French cavalry surged. The result was a decisive French victory, The battle also saw the tragic demise of John Talbot, the valiant English commander, symbolizing the end of an era.
The Final Stages, while marked by battles, also witnessed diplomatic efforts to end the protracted conflict. The Treaty of Tours in 1444 had already initiated a truce, setting the stage for the eventual resolution. However, it was the Treaty of Picquigny in 1475 that definitively concluded hostilities, with England acknowledging the end of its territorial ambitions in France.
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