Which monarchies fought intermittently during the hundred years war?

The Hundred Years War: A Century of Intermittent Monarchical Conflict

The Hundred Years War was a prolonged period of conflict between England and France that lasted from 1337 to 1453. This series of battles and skirmishes saw the monarchies of England and France engage in intermittent warfare, with periods of relative peace punctuated by cycles of violence and aggression.

Which Monarchies Fought Intermittently During the Hundred Years War?

The principal monarchies involved in the Hundred Years War were the House of Plantagenet, which ruled England, and the House of Valois, which ruled France. The Plantagenets, descended from Eleanor of Aquitaine, claimed the French throne as their own, while the Valois, descendants of Charles of Valois, maintained their hold on the French crown.

England and France: The Core of the Conflict

The Hundred Years War began when Edward III of England, a descendant of the Plantagenets, invaded France in 1337, claiming the French throne as his own. The conflict was sparked by the Salic Law, which prohibited women from inheriting the French throne, and the Duke of Normandy’s succession crisis. The House of Valois, supported by the French nobility, resisted the Plantagenet claim, and the war began.

England’s Early Successes

In the early years of the war, England enjoyed several significant victories, including:

• The Battle of Crécy (1346): A crushing defeat for the French at Crécy, resulting in the death of thousands of French nobles.
• The Battle of Calais (1347): The English capture of the strategic port city of Calais, providing a vital foothold on the French mainland.
• The Battle of Neville’s Cross (1346): An English victory in northern France, solidifying their control over the region.

French Resistance and Counter-Offensives

However, the French monarchy, led by Philip VI of Valois, regrouped and launched a series of counter-attacks, including:

• The Battle of Poitiers (1356): The French defeated the English, capturing King John II of England, also known as John the Good.
• The Battle of Cocherel (1364): A decisive French victory, which marked the beginning of a French resurgence.

The English Conquest of Normandy and the Black Death

In the mid-14th century, the Black Death, a devastating pandemic, swept through Europe, severely weakening the English army and economy. Despite this, the English conquest of Normandy continued, with:

• The Siege of Rouen (1359-1360): The English capture of Normandy’s capital city.
• The Treaty of Brétigny (1360): The English gained significant territorial concessions, including the county of Maine and the province of Anjou.

The Later Years of the War

The latter years of the Hundred Years War saw a series of indecisive battles and stalemates, including:

• The Battle of Formigny (1450): A French victory, which marked the end of English control over Normandy.
• The Battle of Castillon (1453): A decisive French victory, which led to the end of the Hundred Years War.

Conclusion

The Hundred Years War was a prolonged and complex conflict between the monarchies of England and France. The intermittent warfare saw both sides experience victories and defeats, with the French ultimately emerging victorious. The war had a lasting impact on both nations, shaping their politics, economy, and culture for centuries to come.

Key Dates and Events of the Hundred Years War

Key Figures of the Hundred Years War

• Edward III of England: King of England who claimed the French throne.
• Philip VI of Valois: King of France who resisted the English claim.
• John II of England: King of England captured by the French at the Battle of Poitiers.
• Joan of Arc: French heroine who led a successful campaign to drive the English out of France.
• Charles VII of France: King of France who ultimately emerged victorious in the war.