Hundred Years War Research Paper

Beginning in 1337 and ending in 1453, the Hundred Years War is the name given to a series of conflicts fought between the Kingdom of England and France over a 116-year period during the late Middle Ages. The struggle between France and England was the longest war in recorded history. It lasted through the reigns of five English kings (Edward III to Henry V) and five French kings (Philip VI to Charles VII) and is often divided into three periods: the Edwardian War from 1337-1360, the Caroline War from 1369 to 1389, and the Lancastrian War from 1415-1453. Prior to the Hundred Years War, King Henry II of England was married to Eleanor of Aquitaine. Eleanor was the heiress to much of the southwest of France, giving King Henry II control over
Edward had come to France with thousands of soldiers and they were first attacked by the French with their crossbows. The French soldiers were hoping to intimidate the English soldiers, but in fact were surprised when met with the devastating blows of the English longbow. The longbow was considered unpopular by many countries because of the amount of training required, however England encouraged the practice and use of the longbow and were able to reap the benefits in this battle. The French king’s son was the leader of the army, and after being wounded he ordered the French calvary to retreat, declaring the English victorious. Another notable battle of the Hundred Years War was the Battle of Poiters in 1356 where the army of King Edward III of England, was led by his son, Edward the “Black Prince.” The English enjoyed a solid defeat over the superior French army near Poitiers with the English longbowmen played the decisive role in the outcome of the battle. The “Black Prince” was considered a hero because of the victory over the French and because of the capture of King John II, the current King of France, and his son Philip. King Edward agreed to release King John II for a ransom of three million crowns and additional land. The capture and ransom demands forced the French to try to reach an agreement with England. The treaties of Calais (1360) gave Edward III full sovereignty over lands that he formerly held as a vassal of Philip VI. However, John II died in captivity while awaiting fulfillment of all the provisions of the treaties, his son Charles, crowned as Charles V, refused to respect the treaties. After 1380 both countries were preoccupied with internal power struggles, and the war lapsed into a time of relative