The Hundred Years’ War was a long and bloody conflict between England and France. It lasted from 1337 to 1453, which is actually 116 years. This medieval war was a series of fights, short peace deals, and then more battles. It was mostly about who should be the king of France, but it was also about land, money, and power. This war changed both countries forever.
Origin of the Hundred Years’ War
The Hundred Years’ War began with a big argument over who should rule France. When the French king died in 1328 without a son, the crown was up for grabs. King Edward III of England believed he had a strong claim. His mother was the daughter of a former French king. But the French chose Philip VI, a cousin of the old king.
This made Edward very angry. He didn’t want to give up his claim. At the same time, England still owned land in France, especially a large area called Aquitaine. Edward didn’t want to lose that land. So, in 1337, he declared himself the rightful king of France. That’s when the fighting started.
Major Battles and Events of the Hundred Years’ War
The war is usually split into three main parts. Each part had different leaders, battles, and results.
Edwardian War (1337–1360)
This was the first stage. England won many early battles. One of the biggest was the Battle of Crécy in 1346. English longbowmen used powerful bows to defeat French knights. A few years later, in 1356, the English won again at the Battle of Poitiers. They even captured the French king! During this time, England also took control of Calais, a city they would keep for over 200 years.
Caroline War (1369–1389)
In this stage, the French fought back. Their new king, Charles V, was smart and careful. He didn’t fight big battles. Instead, he used smaller attacks to wear down the English. Slowly, he took back much of the land England had won earlier. France became stronger while England faced problems at home.
Lancastrian War (1415–1453)
England invaded France again under King Henry V. In 1415, he won the famous Battle of Agincourt. His army was tired and outnumbered, but they still defeated the French. Henry married a French princess and hoped to unite the two kingdoms. But after he died, things fell apart. France got a new hero—Joan of Arc. She helped lead the French to several victories. Slowly, France pushed the English out of their land.
Notable People Involved
Edward the Black Prince
He was the son of King Edward III. He was called “the Black Prince” because of the color of his armor. He was one of England’s best generals. He led the English to victory at Poitiers and captured the French king. He became a legend during the war.
Joan of Arc
Joan was a teenage peasant girl who said she had visions from God. She believed she was chosen to save France. She convinced the king to let her lead an army, and in 1429, she helped lift the siege of Orléans. Her courage inspired the whole country. She was later captured and burned at the stake, but her legacy lived on. Today, she is a national hero and a Catholic saint.
Henry V
The King of England who led the invasion during the Lancastrian War. He was brave, smart, and determined. His victory at Agincourt is one of the most famous in English history.
How the Hundred Years’ War Ended
The war slowly came to an end in the mid-1400s. France kept getting stronger, while England faced civil war back home (the Wars of the Roses). In 1453, the French won the Battle of Castillon. It was the last major battle of the war. After that, England gave up almost all of its land in France. Only the city of Calais stayed under English control.
The war left both countries tired and poor. Many people had died. Farms and towns had been destroyed. But it also led to big changes. Kings began to build stronger armies. Feudal lords lost power. People started to think of themselves as part of a nation—not just a village or a kingdom.
Why the Hundred Years’ War was so Important
The Hundred Years’ War was one of the most important wars of the Middle Ages. It helped shape modern Europe. England and France both became more united as countries. The war introduced new weapons and changed the way battles were fought. It gave us powerful stories and unforgettable heroes. Even though it happened a long time ago, its impact can still be felt today.