The 100 Years WarThe 100 Years WarFrance

vs. England

1337 – 1453

Entering the Ring…Entering the Ring…

CausesCauses• Conflicting Conflicting FrenchFrench and and EnglishEnglish interests in SW interests in SW

FranceFrance• Edward III Edward III lays claim to the French throne lays claim to the French throne

(thought he could get away with it b/c mom (thought he could get away with it b/c mom was a French princess)was a French princess)

• English’sEnglish’s ancestors were the Normans and ancestors were the Normans and they wanted to hold on to those landsthey wanted to hold on to those lands

• Both wanted control of the English ChannelBoth wanted control of the English Channel• Also a good old-fashioned rivalry (think back Also a good old-fashioned rivalry (think back

to to Monty PythonMonty Python))

Round 1 Round 1 (1338 – 1360)(1338 – 1360)

• Marked by English triumphs, especially due to Marked by English triumphs, especially due to their use of thetheir use of the longbow longbow

• In many cases, English troops were In many cases, English troops were outnumbered but still emerged victoriousoutnumbered but still emerged victorious

• Left demoralized, the French signed the peace Left demoralized, the French signed the peace treaty in 1360, giving lands in the SW of treaty in 1360, giving lands in the SW of

France to the EnglishFrance to the English

Round 2 Round 2 (1361 – 1413)(1361 – 1413)• France slowly gained the upper handFrance slowly gained the upper hand• Around the turn of the century, both France Around the turn of the century, both France

and England experienced internal disunityand England experienced internal disunity– There was a coup in EnglandThere was a coup in England– France’s France’s Charles VI Charles VI went mad, allowing two went mad, allowing two

opposing factions to push France into civil war.opposing factions to push France into civil war.

• Henry V Henry V of England decided this of England decided this was an opportune chance to invade was an opportune chance to invade France, and he does.France, and he does.

Round 3 Round 3 (1413 – 1453)(1413 – 1453)• French peasants were forced into the forests French peasants were forced into the forests

by by Henry’sHenry’s invasion invasion• Many prophecies circulated about how the Many prophecies circulated about how the

French would emerge from the war—one said French would emerge from the war—one said a virgin would deliver the French from the a virgin would deliver the French from the invaders…invaders…

• Joan of Arc Joan of Arc emerged in the French court and emerged in the French court and Charles VII Charles VII allowed her to lead the allowed her to lead the

army (which she did very army (which she did very successfully)successfully)

A “winner” is Declared!A “winner” is Declared!• Joan was captured by English allies in 1430Joan was captured by English allies in 1430• In her trial, Joan was accused of witchcraft, In her trial, Joan was accused of witchcraft,

convicted of heresy, and burned at the convicted of heresy, and burned at the stake in 1431.stake in 1431.

• This rallied the French (saw Joan as martyr)This rallied the French (saw Joan as martyr) who also had the new invention of thewho also had the new invention of the cannon! cannon!• Little by little, they drove the English out of Little by little, they drove the English out of

FranceFrance• Charles VII Charles VII formally recognized as king of France formally recognized as king of France

in 1437 upon entering Parisin 1437 upon entering Paris• Hostilities ceased in 1453Hostilities ceased in 1453• Church said that Joan wasn’t a heretic in 1455 Church said that Joan wasn’t a heretic in 1455

(she was later canonized a saint)(she was later canonized a saint)

Impact of 100 Years War (that lasted over 100 Years)

• Increased French national pride = expanded king’s power

• War forced English monarchs to rely on Parliament for $ = Parliament had “power of purse”

• Changed medieval world– Disappearance of armored knights & castles

(weapons like longbow & cannon too strong)– Monarchs gained power & raised own armies for wars