Study Notes on “The Hundred Years’ War: France vs. England”

The Hundred Years’ War: France vs. England – A Struggle for Supremacy

Introduction

The Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453) was one of the longest and most significant conflicts in European history, marking the bitter struggle between two great medieval powers: France and England. It spanned over a century, leaving a profound impact on both nations and reshaping the course of European history. While the war was driven by territorial disputes, dynastic conflicts, and economic rivalries, its consequences went beyond mere territorial boundaries. The war laid the foundation for the rise of nationalism in both France and England and influenced the development of military tactics and royal power. This module provides an in-depth study of the key events, causes, and outcomes of the Hundred Years’ War, as well as the lasting legacy of this protracted conflict.

I. Background and Causes of the Hundred Years’ War

1. The Succession Crisis of France

The roots of the Hundred Years’ War can be traced back to a dynastic dispute following the death of the French King Charles IV in 1328. Charles IV’s death left no male heirs, and the French throne passed to his cousin, Philip VI, from the House of Valois. However, Edward III of England, who was also a descendant of Philip IV of France, claimed the throne as his own. Edward’s claim was based on the fact that his mother, Isabella of France, was the sister of Charles IV. Despite his claim, the French nobility rejected Edward’s right to the throne, choosing Philip VI instead. This succession crisis set the stage for the war.

• Edward III’s Claim: As the grandson of Philip IV, Edward believed he was the rightful heir to the French throne.
• French Resistance: The French nobility’s rejection of Edward’s claim and the crowning of Philip VI ignited tensions between England and France, ultimately leading to the war.

2. Territorial Disputes

A second major cause of the war was the long-standing territorial conflict between England and France. English kings had controlled several regions in France, particularly the Duchy of Gascony, which was an important and lucrative area. However, French kings sought to regain control of these territories, which had been under English control for centuries. The struggle for control over these territories fueled much of the conflict throughout the Hundred Years’ War.

• Duchy of Gascony: The English held Gascony, a vital economic region, and were reluctant to give it up.
• French Aggression: Philip VI’s attempts to assert control over Gascony led to Edward III’s declaration of war.

3. Economic Rivalry and Trade Interests

The economic interests of both nations also played a crucial role in the war. The wool trade, centered in Flanders, was vital to both England and France. The English relied on Flemish markets for the export of wool, while France sought to control these markets to enhance its economic position. The competition for economic dominance and trade routes in Flanders added another layer of complexity to the conflict.

• Wool Trade: The English wool trade was central to England’s economy, and the French sought to disrupt this trade.
• Flemish Alliances: Flanders’ economic ties with England made it a key point of contention between the two nations.

II. Major Phases of the Hundred Years’ War

1. The Early Stages (1337-1360)

The war began in 1337, with Edward III formally declaring war on France. Early battles, including the Battle of Sluys (1340) and the Battle of Crécy (1346), saw significant English victories.

• Battle of Sluys (1340): The English navy defeated the French, establishing naval supremacy.
• Battle of Crécy (1346): Edward III’s forces decisively defeated the French army, using innovative tactics, such as the deployment of longbowmen, which became a hallmark of English success in the war.
• English Gains: After the victory at Crécy, Edward III captured Calais, which remained under English control for over 200 years.

2. The Treaty of Bretigny (1360)

The Treaty of Bretigny was signed in 1360, marking a temporary pause in hostilities between England and France. The treaty was a major victory for England, as it granted them control over significant French territories, including Gascony and Calais, and secured Edward III’s position as the de facto ruler of the French regions under his control.

• Territorial Gains: England gained control of large portions of southwestern France, and Edward renounced his claim to the French throne.
• Temporary Peace: While the treaty brought a temporary peace, it failed to resolve the underlying issues, and hostilities resumed in the 1370s.

3. The Later Stages (1377-1420)

The war entered a new phase in the late 14th century. The English, under the leadership of Richard II and later Henry IV, continued to hold onto French territories. However, internal strife in France, including the death of Charles V in 1380 and the division between the Armagnac and Burgundian factions, weakened the French resistance.

• Internal Strife in France: The death of Charles V led to a power vacuum, and rival factions within France fought for control, weakening the French military response.
• Battle of Agincourt (1415): A major turning point in the war, the Battle of Agincourt, saw the English, under Henry V, achieve a decisive victory over the French. This victory led to the Treaty of Troyes in 1420, which recognized Henry V as the heir to the French throne.

4. The Rise of Joan of Arc (1429)

The turning point in the war came with the emergence of Joan of Arc, a peasant girl who claimed divine inspiration to lead the French forces. Her victories, including the lifting of the Siege of Orléans in 1429, revitalized French morale and led to the coronation of Charles VII as the rightful king of France.

• Joan of Arc’s Leadership: Joan’s military successes, particularly at Orléans, were crucial in turning the tide of the war in favor of France.
• Martyrdom: Joan was captured by the English in 1430 and executed, but her martyrdom galvanized the French, leading to their eventual victory.

III. The Conclusion of the Hundred Years’ War

1. The Final Phase (1429-1453)

Following Joan of Arc’s death, the French, under Charles VII, continued to push back the English. The English were gradually driven out of their French territories, culminating in the French victory at the Battle of Castillon in 1453. This battle marked the end of the war, as the English lost their last major stronghold, Gascony.

• Battle of Castillon (1453): The decisive French victory in the Battle of Castillon ended English hopes of regaining their lost territories in France.

2. The Treaty of Picquigny (1475)

The Treaty of Picquigny, signed in 1475, marked the formal end of the Hundred Years’ War. While hostilities had ceased earlier, this treaty solidified the peace between France and England, allowing both nations to recover from the devastation of the long conflict.

IV. Consequences of the Hundred Years’ War

1. Political and Social Changes

The Hundred Years’ War had significant consequences for both England and France:

• Centralization of Power: In France, the war led to the strengthening of royal power, as Charles VII’s success in the war allowed him to consolidate his authority.
• Decline of Feudalism: The war marked the decline of feudalism as both England and France began to build more centralized, professional armies, reducing the influence of feudal lords.

2. Economic Impact

The war devastated the economies of both England and France:

• Cost of War: Both nations faced enormous financial strain as the war dragged on. The English economy, in particular, suffered due to the loss of territories and the high cost of maintaining an army.
• Agricultural Devastation: Much of the war was fought on French soil, leading to widespread agricultural destruction and famine.

3. Rise of Nationalism

The Hundred Years’ War also played a key role in the development of nationalism in both countries:

• French Nationalism: The war, especially with the emergence of Joan of Arc, fostered a sense of national unity and identity among the French.
• English Nationalism: In England, the war led to a greater sense of unity under the English crown, despite the eventual defeat and loss of French territories.

V. Legacy of the Hundred Years’ War

The Hundred Years’ War had far-reaching consequences that shaped the future of both France and England:

• End of the English Feudal System: The war’s prolonged financial burden and reliance on professional armies led to the decline of the feudal system in England.
• French National Identity: The war helped solidify the concept of the French nation-state, with a centralized monarchy and a unified people.
• Impact on European Warfare: The war brought about significant military changes, including the increased use of gunpowder and firearms, as well as the decline of the traditional medieval knight in favor of infantry-based armies.

Conclusion

The Hundred Years’ War was a pivotal chapter in European history, a prolonged and devastating conflict that changed the political, social, and military landscape of both France and England. The war marked the decline of feudalism, the rise of centralized monarchies, and the emergence of nationalism in both countries. Despite the tremendous loss of life and resources, the

war ultimately laid the groundwork for the modern states of France and England, influencing the course of European history for centuries to come.