1. Who was the English king at the beginning of the Hundred Years’ War?
a) Henry V
b) Edward III
c) Richard II
d) Henry IV
Answer: b) Edward III
Explanation: The Hundred Years’ War began in 1337 when Edward III of England claimed the French throne after the death of Charles IV of France.
2. What was the primary cause of the Hundred Years’ War?
a) Economic competition
b) Disputes over succession to the French throne
c) Religious conflicts
d) Territorial expansion
Answer: b) Disputes over succession to the French throne
Explanation: The war was primarily triggered by the dispute over the succession to the French throne after the death of Charles IV, where Edward III claimed the throne as the grandson of Philip IV of France.
3. Which battle in 1415 was a major victory for the English during the Hundred Years’ War?
a) Battle of Agincourt
b) Battle of Poitiers
c) Battle of Crecy
d) Battle of Verdun
Answer: a) Battle of Agincourt
Explanation: The Battle of Agincourt (1415) was a decisive victory for the English under Henry V, despite being heavily outnumbered by the French.
4. Who was the French heroine that played a significant role in the Hundred Years’ War?
a) Catherine de Valois
b) Joan of Arc
c) Eleanor of Aquitaine
d) Isabella of France
Answer: b) Joan of Arc
Explanation: Joan of Arc played a pivotal role in lifting the siege of Orléans and inspired the French army, helping turn the tide in favor of France during the war.
5. Which of the following was NOT a major battle of the Hundred Years’ War?
a) Battle of Agincourt
b) Battle of Hastings
c) Battle of Poitiers
d) Battle of Crecy
Answer: b) Battle of Hastings
Explanation: The Battle of Hastings took place in 1066, long before the Hundred Years’ War. The other battles listed occurred during the conflict between France and England.
6. What was the outcome of the Battle of Poitiers (1356)?
a) The French were victorious
b) The English were victorious
c) The battle ended in a stalemate
d) The English captured King John II of France
Answer: d) The English captured King John II of France
Explanation: At the Battle of Poitiers, the English won and captured King John II of France, further weakening the French position in the war.
7. What was the Treaty of Bretigny (1360)?
a) It ended the Hundred Years’ War
b) It established an alliance between England and France
c) It granted England significant French territories
d) It recognized Joan of Arc as a national hero
Answer: c) It granted England significant French territories
Explanation: The Treaty of Bretigny was signed in 1360, and it granted England large portions of French territory in exchange for the release of King John II.
8. What role did the longbow play in the Hundred Years’ War?
a) It gave the English a technological advantage over the French
b) It was used as a cavalry weapon by the French
c) It was ineffective against French armor
d) It was only used in naval battles
Answer: a) It gave the English a technological advantage over the French
Explanation: The longbow was a key weapon for the English, allowing them to strike at a distance with great force, giving them an edge over the French knights, who were heavily armored.
9. Which of the following was an effect of the Black Death on the Hundred Years’ War?
a) It caused a major shift in the balance of power in Europe
b) It led to the end of the war immediately
c) It reduced the French and English populations and disrupted military efforts
d) It gave both sides an equal number of soldiers
Answer: c) It reduced the French and English populations and disrupted military efforts
Explanation: The Black Death (plague) significantly reduced the populations of both England and France, disrupting armies and slowing the progress of the war.
10. What was the result of the Treaty of Picquigny (1475)?
a) It marked the end of the Hundred Years’ War
b) It secured a marriage alliance between England and France
c) It resulted in English control over French territories
d) It established England as a dominant power in Europe
Answer: b) It secured a marriage alliance between England and France
Explanation: The Treaty of Picquigny (1475) ended hostilities between England and France and established a marriage alliance between King Edward IV of England and Margaret of Anjou.
11. In which battle did Joan of Arc famously lead the French to victory in 1429?
a) Battle of Agincourt
b) Battle of Poitiers
c) Battle of Crecy
d) Battle of Orléans
Answer: d) Battle of Orléans
Explanation: Joan of Arc led the French forces to a crucial victory at the Battle of Orléans in 1429, which marked a turning point in the war.
12. What was the significance of the Treaty of Troyes (1420)?
a) It was a decisive victory for the English
b) It recognized Henry V of England as the heir to the French throne
c) It marked the beginning of the war
d) It established Joan of Arc as the leader of the French army
Answer: b) It recognized Henry V of England as the heir to the French throne
Explanation: The Treaty of Troyes (1420) was signed during the Hundred Years’ War, and it recognized Henry V of England as the rightful heir to the French throne, disinheriting the Dauphin Charles.
13. What was the primary aim of the English during the Hundred Years’ War?
a) To expand their territory in France
b) To spread Protestantism in France
c) To secure peace with the French monarchy
d) To end the conflict through diplomacy
Answer: a) To expand their territory in France
Explanation: The English aimed to expand their holdings in France, particularly after Edward III’s claim to the French throne, which led to military conflict over land.
14. Which French king was able to regain much of the territory lost to the English during the later stages of the Hundred Years’ War?
a) Charles V
b) Louis IX
c) Philip VI
d) Charles VII
Answer: d) Charles VII
Explanation: Charles VII, the Dauphin, was instrumental in regaining much of the French territory lost to the English during the war, especially after the intervention of Joan of Arc.
15. What was the ultimate outcome of the Hundred Years’ War for England?
a) England gained vast French territories
b) England lost most of its French territories except Calais
c) England remained the dominant power in Europe
d) England and France remained at war indefinitely
Answer: b) England lost most of its French territories except Calais
Explanation: The Treaty of Picquigny (1475) and subsequent treaties led to England losing most of its French territories, with only Calais remaining under English control until 1558.
16. What impact did the Hundred Years’ War have on the French monarchy?
a) It weakened the French monarchy
b) It led to the consolidation of royal power in France
c) It divided France into factions
d) It caused a shift toward feudalism
Answer: b) It led to the consolidation of royal power in France
Explanation: The war helped strengthen the French monarchy, particularly after the Treaty of Picquigny and the recovery of territories under Charles VII’s leadership.
17. What was Joan of Arc’s vision about the French monarchy?
a) To strengthen the monarchy under Charles VI
b) To end the war and negotiate peace
c) To ensure the coronation of Charles VII as king
d) To place herself on the French throne
Answer: c) To ensure the coronation of Charles VII as king
Explanation: Joan of Arc was focused on securing the coronation of Charles VII as the rightful king of France, believing that God had chosen her to lead the way.
18. What was the long-term effect of the Hundred Years’ War on England’s economy?
a) It led to economic prosperity in England
b) It caused England to shift towards a feudal economy
c) It drained England’s finances and weakened its economy
d) It established England as an industrial power
Answer: c) It drained England’s finances and weakened its economy
Explanation: The war drained England’s financial resources, and the costly campaigns weakened the country’s economy, contributing to social unrest.
19. How did the Hundred Years’ War influence the development of the French military?
a) It led to the rise of powerful feudal armies
b) It encouraged the development of artillery and gunpowder warfare
c) It marked the decline of military technology
d) It caused the French to rely on mercenaries
Answer: b) It encouraged the development of artillery and gunpowder warfare
Explanation: The Hundred Years’ War encouraged the use of new military technologies, including the use of cannons and gunpowder, which played a significant role in future military conflicts.
20. Which English king’s death marked the end of the Hundred Years’ War?
a) Edward III
b) Henry V
c) Richard II
d) Henry VI
Answer: b) Henry V
Explanation: Henry V’s death in 1422 led to a change in English leadership, which contributed to the eventual end of the Hundred Years’ War as England lost its momentum.
These MCQs provide an overview of the key events, figures, and outcomes of the Hundred Years’ War, offering insight into the pivotal moments and their historical impact.
