Hundred Years’ War: Causes and Outcomes
Edward III and the Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453)
Edward III, son of Edward II, succeeded his father and initiated the Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453) against France. Although the name suggests continuous conflict, there were periods of peace. Notably, battles also occurred on Spanish territory.
Causes of the Hundred Years’ War
The war’s origins can be attributed to several key factors:
- Succession Crisis: The French Capet dynasty, originating from Philip III, faced a succession crisis upon Charles IV’s death. With no male heir, the Salic law, prohibiting female inheritance, was invoked. This led to the rise of the Valois dynasty. However, Edward III claimed the French throne through his mother, Isabella of France.
- Economic Interests: England’s economy heavily relied on wool exports, facing logistical challenges. Trade with Gascony, the remaining Plantagenet possession in France, was crucial. France threatened this trade by attempting to control it, while England sought to maintain it.
- Franco-Scottish Alliance: Political cooperation between Scotland and France further fueled tensions.
Phases of the Hundred Years’ War
The conflict can be broadly divided into two phases:
- First 50 Years (English Dominance): This period marked a golden age for England, with the recovery of lost territories. The naval Battle of Sluys, chronicled by Froissart, secured English control of the Channel. Victories like the Battle of Poitiers were attributed to English infantry and archers, particularly the use of the longbow. Captured English soldiers often had their two archer fingers cut off by the French.
- Second 50 Years (French Resurgence): This phase favored France. The introduction of gunpowder weapons and new French tactics ultimately led to English defeats. A notable exception was Henry V’s victory at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, securing his son’s right to the French throne in the Treaty of Troyes. However, the French disregarded this treaty. This period also saw the rise of Joan of Arc. The English claim to the French throne, stemming from this era, persisted symbolically even into modern times.
The war concluded in 1453 with England’s defeat, retaining only Calais in France, a crucial port city held until the mid-16th century.
The War of the Roses (1455-1485)
Two years later, in 1455, internal conflict erupted in England as the Wars of the Roses. This civil war pitted the noble houses of York and Lancaster against each other for 30 years. By 1485, Richard III (House of York) faced defeat and death at the Battle of Bosworth. This battle marked the end of the war and the transition from medieval to modern times in England. Shakespeare later dramatized this period and its monarchs.