The Hundred Years' War

 

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Introduction:

 

It was a series of Wars and times of peace between France and England that lasted 116 years and took place in the late Medieval Era. There was the Edwardian War (1337-1360), the Caroline War (1369-1389), the Lancastrian War (1415-1429), and the appearance of Joan of Arc (1412-1431). The term "Hundred Years' War" was created later to describe the entire time period.

Kind Edward the third of England believed that he had the right to the French throne because he was a direct descendent of Philip the fourth through his mother, Isabella of France. So he decided to take over France.

At first he was very successful because he had an advantage: the English longbow. English archers made up over half of many of his armies, and he could win battles against armies that so unfairly outnumbered him. However, later on in the war, there was a shortage of soldiers who could use a longbow, since archers had to practice from a very young age in order to have the skill to use the bow. Because the English lost that advantage, the French drove them out of France after Joan of Arc took back Orleans.

The Hundred Years' War is seen as a very significant time because of the change in the way people fought their battles. At first, everyone thought that numbers determined the outcome of a battle. However, because of the English archer, they discovered that position and tactics were more important, and that a clever leader could change everything.

 

 

King Henry V prays before the battle of Agincourt

Picture from: http://www.britishbattles.com/100-years-war/agincourt/henry-v-prays.jpg

 

Countries Involved:
France England