What was one cause of the Hundred Years War?
The Hundred Years War was a prolonged conflict between England and France that lasted from 1337 to 1453. It was a complex and multifaceted conflict that had various causes and consequences. One of the primary causes of the Hundred Years War was the succession crisis that arose after the death of King Charles IV of France in 1328.
The Succession Crisis
After King Charles IV’s death, the throne of France was inherited by his son, Philip VI, who was the brother of Charles IV. However, this created a problem, as the throne was also claimed by Edward III of England, who was the grandson of Philip IV of France and the son of Isabella of France, the sister of Charles IV. This created a conflict between the two claimants, with each side arguing that they had a stronger claim to the throne.
The Dispute over the Right of Succession
The dispute over the right of succession was fueled by the fact that the French monarchs had traditionally followed the Salic Law, which stated that the throne could only be inherited by males. However, the English monarchs had traditionally followed the Norman Conquest, which allowed for female inheritance. This created a problem, as Philip VI’s claim to the throne was based on his right as the brother of the previous king, while Edward III’s claim was based on his right as the grandson of the previous king.
The English Claim
Edward III’s claim to the throne was strengthened by his marriage to Joan of Kent, the daughter of Edmund of Woodstock, who was the son of King Edward I of England. This made Edward III the closest living relative of the previous king, and he argued that he had a stronger claim to the throne than Philip VI.
The French Response
Philip VI and his supporters argued that the English claim was invalid, as it was based on a marriage that had not been recognized by the French monarchs. They also pointed out that Edward III’s claim was not supported by the Treaty of Paris, which had been signed by his father, King Edward II, and Philip IV of France.
The Beginning of the War
The dispute over the right of succession eventually led to the outbreak of war between England and France. The war began in 1337, when Edward III of England invaded France and laid claim to the throne. The war lasted for over a century, with various periods of peace and truce punctuated by periods of intense conflict.
Key Events of the War
The Hundred Years War was marked by several key events, including:
- The Battle of Crécy (1346): A decisive English victory that took place during the early years of the war.
- The Battle of Poitiers (1356): A disastrous French defeat that resulted in the capture of King John II of France.
- The Black Death (1348-1350): A pandemic that swept through Europe and had a significant impact on the war effort.
- The Treaty of Brétigny (1360): A peace treaty that was signed by King Edward III and King John II, which resulted in a period of relative peace.
Conclusion
The succession crisis that arose after the death of King Charles IV of France was one of the primary causes of the Hundred Years War. The dispute over the right of succession was fueled by the fact that the French monarchs had traditionally followed the Salic Law, while the English monarchs had traditionally followed the Norman Conquest. The war lasted for over a century, with various periods of peace and truce punctuated by periods of intense conflict.
Table: Key Dates of the Hundred Years War
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1328 | Death of King Charles IV of France |
| 1337 | Edward III of England invades France |
| 1346 | Battle of Crécy |
| 1348-1350 | The Black Death |
| 1356 | Battle of Poitiers |
| 1360 | Treaty of Brétigny |
Bullets List: Key Points
• The succession crisis that arose after the death of King Charles IV of France was one of the primary causes of the Hundred Years War.
• The dispute over the right of succession was fueled by the fact that the French monarchs had traditionally followed the Salic Law, while the English monarchs had traditionally followed the Norman Conquest.
• The English claim to the throne was strengthened by the marriage of Edward III to Joan of Kent.
• The French response was that the English claim was invalid, as it was based on a marriage that had not been recognized by the French monarchs.
• The war lasted for over a century, with various periods of peace and truce punctuated by periods of intense conflict.
