The Hundred Years’ War is one of the most famous and transformative conflicts in medieval European history. Spanning over a century, this prolonged struggle between England and France shaped the course of both nations, affected the development of warfare, politics, and national identity, and left a lasting legacy in culture and history. Below is an in-depth exploration of the causes, major events, key figures, and outcomes of the Hundred Years’ War.

Introduction: What Was the Hundred Years’ War?

The Hundred Years’ War (1337–1453) was a series of conflicts fought intermittently between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of France, lasting 116 years. Despite the name, the war was not a continuous battle but a series of campaigns, truces, and diplomatic struggles.

At its heart, the war was a dynastic dispute over the rightful claim to the French throne, combined with territorial and economic rivalries. It is traditionally divided into several phases, with long periods of peace and short bursts of intense warfare.

Causes of the War

Dynastic Rivalry

The main cause of the war was a dispute over who had the legitimate claim to the French crown. When the French king Charles IV died in 1328 without a male heir, two main claimants emerged:

• Edward III of England, grandson of Philip IV of France through his mother Isabella, claimed the French throne.
   

• Philip VI of Valois, cousin to Charles IV, was chosen by the French nobility instead.
   

The French rejected Edward’s claim, citing the Salic law, which forbade inheritance through the female line. This sparked a bitter dispute.

Territorial Disputes

Even before the succession crisis, England held substantial lands within France, including the duchy of Aquitaine. These English possessions caused ongoing tension. French kings sought to reclaim these lands, while English monarchs fought to retain or expand them.

Economic Factors

Control of prosperous regions and trade routes was also critical. Flanders, for example, was a wealthy wool-producing area whose economy depended heavily on English wool. Maintaining influence over these economic hubs was vital for both sides. shutdown123