The Hundred Years' War
The Hundred Years' War is a series of conflicts waged from 1337 to 1453 by the Kingdom of England against the Kingdom of France, intertwined with a civil war within France known as the Armagnac–Burgundian Civil War. This prolonged war is often divided into three major phases: the Edwardian War, the Caroline War, and the Lancastrian War.
Background
The roots of the conflict lay in the complex feudal loyalties that characterized Medieval Europe. The war had its origins in disputes over territorial holdings in France and claims to the French throne. The English monarchs, starting with Edward III of England, claimed the right to the French crown through the matrilineal line, igniting a long-standing rivalry with the Valois Dynasty.
Key Battles
The war included numerous significant battles, such as the Battle of Crécy in 1346, where English forces, utilizing the longbow, achieved a decisive victory. The Battle of Poitiers in 1356 and the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, also highlighted English tactical supremacy.
However, the tide turned with the rise of Joan of Arc, who inspired French forces and played a crucial role in lifting the Siege of Orléans. The war ultimately concluded with the Treaty of Picquigny, marking a French victory and the end of English territorial ambitions on the continent.
Impact on Society
The Hundred Years' War had profound implications for both England and France. In England, the protracted conflict fueled political instability and was a factor in the emergence of the Wars of the Roses. In France, the war spurred the development of a strong sense of nationalism and led to the consolidation of royal power under the Valois monarchy.
The war also saw the decline of feudalism and the rise of professional armies, laying the groundwork for the modern state system. It significantly affected medieval economics, with the devastation of countryside regions and shifts in trade patterns.
Technological and Cultural Influence
The protracted conflict spurred advancements in military technology, like the increased use of artillery and the development of siege warfare techniques. Culturally, it was a period of rich literary output, influencing works such as Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" and the romanticization of the knightly class.