- Sponsored -
- Sponsored -
It was, in so many respects, the most stormy of years during a period in which European history underwent the confrontation between England and France. Actually, it was all just one long and continuous conflict—from 1337 through 1453—but not all continuous war; rather, many kinds of battles and sieges happened continuously, joined by political intrigue that decided their fate. This was, more than any other war, due both to a matter of territorial claims and to the effects of dynastic rivalries; it placed mediaeval Europe quite literally on another course. Conclusively, therefore, this paper on the causes, events, and aftermath of the Hundred Years’ War would try to demonstrate its relevance in view of these positions. Thereby, taking these points under consideration.
Causes of the Hundred Years’ War
Certainly, the paper has to delve deep into the political and social dynamics in Europe during the 14th century while explaining the cause of the outburst of the Hundred Years War. The original cause of this war was the dispute of the French Crown. Following the death of the French King, Charles IV died in 1328 without men. Edward III of England is a nephew and a cousin; Philip VI was one from the House of Valois who pressed their claim over the throne. The French chose the latter to bestow upon it, which seriously offended Edward, as by right through direct claim of descent, Edward had the absolute right to have it.
Added to this was the perennial dispute of territorial control, in that England possessed parts of France, most notably the duchy of Aquitaine, which the kings across the channel sought to retrieve. This economic rivalry was very much enhanced with regard to trade disputes, particularly in the highly crucial county of Flanders. Overlay these disputes, and the mixture literally proved explosive. Of course, it did explode in 1337 when Edward III issued an open claim against the throne of France.
Key Phases of the War
Traditionally the course of the Hundred Years’ War is divided into several phases, each marked by great events and changes in fortunes.
The Edwardian War (1337–1360)
These early years of the war brought some very good results to England: Edward III won a crushing victory in the Battle of Crécy, 1346, and in the Siege of Calais, 1347, quite successful was the use of the longbowmen against the heavy cavalry of the French nobility. The Treaty of Brétigny in 1360 gave a temporary cessation of hostilities and gained England much of France.
The Caroline War: 1369–1389
The hostilities afresh began with the attempt of Charles V of France to regain the lost territories. The French, under his command, pursued an attrition strategy sans pitched battles but aimed at recapturing castles and towns. During this period, the advances of the English were nibbled away, and by the late 1380s, the French had regained most of their territories.
The Lancastrian War: 1415–1453
The third and final phase started with the resurgence of England under King Henry V. His great victory at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 again showed the power of the English longbow. It seemed the Treaty of Troyes had resolved the issue in 1420: Henry V was to be the heir of the French crown. Henry V’s death when relatively young and the emergence of Joan of Arc finally began to turn the tide in France’s favour. Under the leadership of Joan, the French attained some crucial victories that included relieving Orléans in the year 1429. Successively, the English lost hold of France, retaining only Calais by the year 1453.
Important Personalities of the Hundred Years’ War
There have been several personalities who made the difference in this war. Among them are:
Edward III of England, who, based on his claim to the French throne, won for the English some early important victories.
Henry V of England, celebrated for his brilliant genius as a military chief at Agincourt.
They were as follows:
Charles V of France: The Caroline War saw a revival of the fortunes of France.
–Joan of Arc: This unlettered girl, with her vision and leadership, had earlier led the battle to win it for France. Later, martyred and then canonised a saint.
Aftermath of the War
It is quite true to say that the influences of the Hundred Years War can be seen far afield in both England and France. Its political consequence was that it came out of the French monarchy stronger—the Valois gained victory. For France, it meant her people were united against a common enemy, thus bringing some form of national identity. Long war devastated the agricultural lands, disrupted trade, and caused economic suffering to hit widespread dimensions.
The war marked an end to all of England’s chances for a continental empire. More importantly, the cost in finance and the political mayhem invited internal strife that resulted in the Wars of the Roses. The artistic and literary responses to the war were to come a hundred years later in the person of Shakespeare when he penned the play Henry V.
Military Innovations
The nature of the Hundred Years War presupposed a great transformation in the method of warfare. It is here that mediaeval warfare was subject to revolution due to the employment of the longbow by the English, which constituted the last nail in the coffin of chivalry as more and more fanciful forms of knightly combat were transformed by an ever-strategically-orientated military policy with gunpowder weapons making representative appearances of the new era in European warfare.
In conclusion, a formative period in the European tradition, it finally left its mark on the late mediaeval outlook on politics, society, and culture through a bewildering series of battles about contesting ambitions, identities, and novelties. An insight into such deep reflections from this epic struggle over forces that have so profoundly shaped our world has to be a depth of insight.
- Sponsored -
- Sponsored -
