The 100 Years War France vs. England 1337 – 1453

Entering the Ring…

Causes Conflicting French and English interests in SW France Conflicting French and English interests in SW France Edward III lays claim to the French throne (thought he could get away with it b/c mom was a French princess) Edward III lays claim to the French throne (thought he could get away with it b/c mom was a French princess) English’s ancestors were the Normans and they wanted to hold on to those lands English’s ancestors were the Normans and they wanted to hold on to those lands Both wanted control of the English Channel Both wanted control of the English Channel Also a good old-fashioned rivalry (think back to Monty Python) Also a good old-fashioned rivalry (think back to Monty Python)

Round 1 (1338 – 1360) Marked by English triumphs, especially due to their use of the longbow Marked by English triumphs, especially due to their use of the longbow In many cases, English troops were outnumbered but still emerged victorious In many cases, English troops were outnumbered but still emerged victorious Left demoralized, the French signed the peace treaty in 1360, giving lands in the SW of Left demoralized, the French signed the peace treaty in 1360, giving lands in the SW of France to the English France to the English

Round 2 (1361 – 1413) France slowly gained the upper hand France slowly gained the upper hand Around the turn of the century, both France and England experienced internal disunity Around the turn of the century, both France and England experienced internal disunity – There was a coup in England – France’s Charles VI went mad, allowing two opposing factions to push France into civil war. Henry V of England decided this was an opportune chance to invade France, and he does. Henry V of England decided this was an opportune chance to invade France, and he does.

Round 3 (1413 – 1453) French peasants were forced into the forests by Henry’s invasion French peasants were forced into the forests by Henry’s invasion Many prophecies circulated about how the French would emerge from the war—one said a virgin would deliver the French from the invaders… Many prophecies circulated about how the French would emerge from the war—one said a virgin would deliver the French from the invaders… Joan of Arc emerged in the French court and Charles VII allowed her to lead the army (which she did very successfully) Joan of Arc emerged in the French court and Charles VII allowed her to lead the army (which she did very successfully)

A “winner” is Declared! Joan was captured by English allies in 1430 Joan was captured by English allies in 1430 In her trial, Joan was accused of witchcraft, convicted of heresy, and burned at the stake in In her trial, Joan was accused of witchcraft, convicted of heresy, and burned at the stake in This rallied the French (saw Joan as martyr) This rallied the French (saw Joan as martyr) who also had the new invention of the cannon! who also had the new invention of the cannon! Little by little, they drove the English out of France Little by little, they drove the English out of France Charles VII formally recognized as king of France in 1437 upon entering Paris Charles VII formally recognized as king of France in 1437 upon entering Paris Hostilities ceased in 1453 Hostilities ceased in 1453 Church said that Joan wasn’t a heretic in 1455 (she was later canonized a saint) Church said that Joan wasn’t a heretic in 1455 (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