How did the hundred years war start?

How did the Hundred Years War start?

The Hundred Years War was a series of conflicts between England and France that lasted for over 100 years, from 1337 to 1453. It was a complex and multifaceted war that involved numerous battles, sieges, and other military campaigns, as well as political and economic intrigue. In this article, we will explore the root causes of the war, the key events that led to its outbreak, and the significant milestones that marked its duration.

Early Tensions

The roots of the Hundred Years War can be traced back to the 12th century, when the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of France were united under the rule of a single monarch, William the Conqueror. However, with the death of William the Conqueror in 1087, the English and French crowns began to drift apart, leading to a series of border conflicts and rivalries.

Over the centuries, these tensions continued to simmer, exacerbated by issues such as disputes over territory, trade, and the rights of English nobles in France. One of the primary sources of conflict was the succession crisis following the death of King Charles IV of France in 1328. Charles IV’s grandson, Philip VI of France, claimed the throne, but his claim was challenged by Edward III of England, who argued that the throne was rightfully his due to his descent from Luis de Francia, a grandson of Louis VII of France.

The Start of the War

The war officially began in 1337 when Edward III of England declared war on France in response to Philip VI’s confiscation of the Duchy of Aquitaine, a wealthy and strategic region in southwestern France that was under English control. The Edwardian Phase of the war (1337-1360) was characterized by a series of English victories, including the Battle of Sluys (1340) and the Battle of Crécy (1346). These victories allowed Edward III to reclaim significant territory in France and establish English control over the English Channel.

Key Events

• The Battle of Halidon Hill (1333): This battle saw the English defeat a larger French army and led to the capture of the strategically important town of Berwick-upon-Tweed.
• The Siege of Calais (1346-1347): After a lengthy siege, English forces captured the port city of Calais, providing a crucial foothold on the European mainland.
• The Black Death (1346-1353): The pandemic significantly weakened the English and French armies, leading to a temporary lull in the fighting.
• The Battle of Poitiers (1356): This battle saw the capture of the French king, John II, by an English army led by Edward, the Black Prince.

The Armagnac-Burgundian Civil War

After the Black Death, a new phase of the war began, marked by internal conflicts within France. The Armagnac faction, led by John, Duke of Burgundy, and the Burgundian faction, led by Charles II, Duke of Orleans, engaged in a bitter struggle for control of the French throne.

The Joan of Arc Episode

In 1429, a young woman named Joan of Arc emerged in northeastern France, claiming to receive visions from God instructing her to drive the English out of France. Supported by the Dauphin, the future Charles VII of France, Joan led a successful military campaign, capturing the city of Orléans and forcing the English to withdraw from most of France.

Conclusion

The Hundred Years War was a complex and multifaceted conflict that involved numerous battles, sieges, and other military campaigns. The war was sparked by a succession crisis and exacerbated by issues such as border disputes, trade rivalries, and the rights of English nobles in France. Over the course of the war, the English and French armies clashed numerous times, with significant battles fought at Crécy, Poitiers, and Orléans.

Table: Timeline of the Hundred Years War

By exploring the complex causes and events surrounding the start of the Hundred Years War, we gain a deeper understanding of the historical context that shaped the conflict and its outcomes.