Clash of Crowns
A Saga of Medieval Conflict: Unraveling the Hundred Years' War between England and France.
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Hundred Years' War | |||||||||
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Part of the Crisis of the late Middle Ages and the Anglo-French Wars | |||||||||
Clockwise, from top left: the Battle of La Rochelle, the Battle of Agincourt, the Battle of Patay, and Joan of Arc at the Siege of Orl%C3%A9ans |
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War Overview
Duration and Scope
The Hundred Years' War, a protracted conflict spanning 116 years (1337–1453), was an intermittent struggle between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of France. It emerged from complex feudal disputes over the Duchy of Aquitaine and was ignited by Edward III of England's claim to the French throne. This dynastic struggle evolved into a broader military, economic, and political contest involving various factions across Western Europe, fueled by burgeoning national identities.
Dynastic Struggle
The war centered on the succession to the French throne following the extinction of the direct Capetian line. Five generations of kings from rival dynasties—the House of Valois (France) and the House of Plantagenet (England)—contended for control of France, then the wealthiest kingdom in Western Europe. The conflict fundamentally reshaped the political landscape of both nations.
European Impact
This protracted conflict had profound effects on European history. Both England and France witnessed significant military innovations, including the development of professional standing armies and the increasing importance of artillery. The era also marked the zenith and subsequent decline of chivalry, while fostering stronger, more centralized national identities in both kingdoms, laying the groundwork for their emergence as major global powers.
Roots of Conflict
Feudal Ties and Sovereignty
The conflict's origins trace back to the Norman Conquest of 1066, which placed English monarchs as vassals to the French crown for their continental holdings. This created an inherent tension: English kings, as Dukes of Aquitaine, owed homage to the French king, yet possessed lands that often rivaled the French royal domain in size and influence. The French crown consistently sought to curtail English power within its borders, particularly in the strategically vital region of Guyenne (Aquitaine).
Succession Crisis
The death of Charles IV of France in 1328 without a direct male heir triggered a succession crisis. Edward III of England, as Charles's nephew through his mother Isabella, had a claim based on proximity of blood. However, French nobility invoked Salic Law, barring succession through the female line, and favored Philip VI, a cousin from the House of Valois. Edward initially submitted but later renewed his claim, using the dispute over Guyenne as a pretext for war.
Alliances and Trade
The long-standing "Auld Alliance" between France and Scotland meant that English military actions against Scotland often drew French intervention, and vice versa. Furthermore, the economic interdependence, particularly England's crucial wool trade with the Flemish textile industry, played a significant role. Flanders' reliance on English wool and its own grievances against French control provided a strategic advantage for England, influencing alliances and military campaigns.
Phases of War
Edwardian Phase (1337–1360)
This initial phase was marked by significant English military successes, notably the naval victory at Sluys (1340) and the land battles of Crécy (1346) and Poitiers (1356). These English triumphs, often attributed to the effectiveness of their longbowmen and tactical innovations, resulted in the capture of French King John II at Poitiers. The Treaty of Brétigny (1360) temporarily concluded this phase, granting England substantial territorial gains in Aquitaine and a large ransom for the French king.
Caroline Phase (1369–1389)
Under the astute leadership of King Charles V and his constable Bertrand du Guesclin, France regrouped. Employing Fabian tactics and avoiding large pitched battles, the French gradually recaptured much of the territory lost in the previous phase. Key French victories, such as Cocherel (1364) and the naval triumph at La Rochelle (1372), shifted the momentum, significantly reducing English holdings on the continent.
Lancastrian Phase (1415–1453)
Renewed conflict erupted with Henry V of England's invasion, capitalizing on internal French divisions (the Armagnac–Burgundian Civil War). The decisive English victory at Agincourt (1415) paved the way for the conquest of Normandy. The emergence of Joan of Arc revitalized French morale, leading to the pivotal Siege of Orléans (1429) and subsequent French victories like Patay (1429). Despite setbacks, French forces, utilizing improved artillery and tactics, ultimately drove the English out of France, culminating in the Battle of Castillon (1453).
Pivotal Engagements
Battle of Sluys (1340)
A decisive naval engagement where the English fleet, employing superior tactics, annihilated the French navy off the coast of Flanders. This victory secured English dominance of the English Channel for much of the war, preventing French invasions and facilitating English troop movements.
Battle of Crécy (1346)
A stunning English victory characterized by the devastating effectiveness of English longbowmen against French heavy cavalry. The battle demonstrated the changing nature of warfare, highlighting the decline of traditional knightly dominance.
Battle of Poitiers (1356)
Another significant English triumph where the French army was routed, and King John II of France was captured. This battle underscored the tactical superiority of the English forces and plunged France into further political and social turmoil.
Battle of Agincourt (1415)
A legendary English victory led by Henry V, where a smaller English army inflicted catastrophic losses on the French. The battle, fought in muddy conditions, showcased the prowess of English archers and further destabilized the French monarchy.
Siege of Orléans (1429)
A turning point in the war, this siege saw the French, inspired by Joan of Arc, lift the English blockade of Orléans. This victory dramatically boosted French morale and marked the beginning of the French resurgence, ultimately leading to the coronation of Charles VII.
Battle of Castillon (1453)
The final major battle of the war, where French artillery played a crucial role in defeating the English forces. This decisive victory effectively ended English territorial claims in France, except for Calais, marking the conclusion of the Hundred Years' War.
Key Treaties
Treaty of Brétigny (1360)
This treaty temporarily ended the Edwardian phase. England gained full sovereignty over expanded Aquitaine, and Edward III renounced his claim to the French throne in exchange for a substantial ransom for the captured King John II of France. However, the treaty's terms were never fully implemented, contributing to the war's resumption.
Consequences
Territorial Shifts
By the war's conclusion, England lost nearly all its continental possessions, retaining only the Pale of Calais until 1558. France emerged victorious, solidifying its territorial integrity and strengthening the Valois monarchy.
Military Evolution
The war spurred significant military advancements. The decline of feudal cavalry dominance was accelerated by the effectiveness of infantry, particularly archers, and the increasing importance of gunpowder artillery. This led to the development of more professional, standing armies.
National Identity
The prolonged conflict fostered a sense of distinct national identity in both England and France. Shared experiences of war, sacrifice, and victory (or defeat) contributed to the rise of nationalism and the consolidation of centralized states.
English Instability
The immense cost of the war and the humiliation of defeat contributed to political instability in England. Dissatisfaction among the nobility over lost continental lands and financial burdens played a role in triggering the subsequent Wars of the Roses (1455–1487).
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References
References
- Harris 1994, p. 8; Prestwich 1988, p. 298.
- Prestwich 1988, p. 298; Prestwich 2007, pp. 292â293.
- Sumption 1999, pp. 188â189; Sumption 1999, pp. 233â234.
- Le Patourel 1984, pp. 20â21; Wilson 2011, p. 218.
- Guignebert 1930, Volume 1. pp. 304â307; Le Patourel 1984, pp. 20â21; Chisholm 1911, p. 501
- Backman 2003, pp. 179â180 â Nobles captured in battle were held in "Honorable Captivity", which recognised their status as prisoners of war and permitted ransom.
- Wagner 2006, p. 122; Wagner 2006, pp. 3â4.
- Francoise Autrand. Charles V King of France in Vauchéz 2000, pp. 283â284
- Baker 2000, p. 6; Neillands 2001, pp. 182â184.
- Neillands 2001, pp. 182â184; Curry 2002, pp. 77â82.
- Mortimer 2008, pp. 263â264; Bean 2008
- Ian Friel. The English and War at Sea. c.1200 â c.1500 in Hattendorf & Unger 2003, pp. 76â77.
- Allmand 2010; Wagner 2006, pp. 44â45.
- Griffiths 2015; Wagner 2006, pp. 307â308.
- "Every version of the complaints put forward by the rebels in 1450 harps on the losses in France" (Webster 1998, pp. 39â40).
- Colm McNamee. Hobelars in Rogers 2010, pp. 267â268; Jones 2008, pp. 1â17.
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