1. The Hundred Years’ War and Joan of Arc
Essential Question: How did the Hundred Years’ War contribute to the weakening of feudalism?

2. The Hundred Years War

3. The Hundred Years War
A series of battles between England and France from (116 years total)
They fought over lands in France and who got to own them.
Started when King Philip VI of France wanted his land back from King Edward III

4. Questions Which two countries fought in the 100 years war?
What were they fighting about?

6. Early English Success
In the beginning, the English defeated the French.
Battle of Crecy 1346-
French army-heavy knights on horses
Big swords, shields, lances, and crossbows
English army-light knights, ground soldiers,
archers with longbows, smaller swords and shields
The longbow was quicker and flew farther than crossbow.

7. Questions
Who won the Battle of Crecy?

11. French Fight Back
In 1415, after a long truce, King Henry of England attacked France again.
France was ready.
They had better weapons, cheaper armies, and more reason to fight.
They also had a stronger will to fight England off.

12. Joan of Arc
17 yr old peasant girl who said she heard the voices of saints telling her to save France
Break the siege of Orleans
See Prince Charles become king of France
Free the French people from English oppression

15. Later Joan…
In 1430 the English captured Joan and burned her to death as a witch
But her message helped the French to take more pride in their country and fight harder
22 years later the French won
500 years later, the Church made her an official Saint.

16. Question
Who was Joan of Arc?
Why was she so important?

17. Why the War Matters The war helped break Feudalism
During the war, the kings collected taxes to create armies
They did not need Nobles and Knights for protection anymore
New technology made Knights and castles less useful.
The longbow could take out lines of knights
Cannons could blow through castle walls

18. Why the War Matters (part II)
People started feeling loyal to the king instead of to their Noble Lords.
Nobles lost power
Both sides needed Peasants to fight so the common people became more important
Those who survived had valuable experience and were respected