1. The Hundred Years’ War

2. Key Concepts Hundred Years War
England & France forged their identities
Fought intermittently between 1337 & 1453
Began as a feudal war – developed two powerful & territorially integrated states
Social Change
Growing cities
Stratification of gender roles
Peasant and urban revolts

3. The Hundred Years’ War 1337 – 1453
England and France fought over English feudal claims to the French throne
116 years of intermittent war
England won every important battle
Except the last one

4. The Hundred Years’ War Causes Aquitaine
Inherited in the 12thC by England (Capetian dynasty)
Capetian dynasty died out in 1328
French nobles did not want England’s king Edward III to exercise his royal claim in France.
French nobles seeking to weaken French monarchy supported Edward
Economy competition over the rich Flemish wool-producing towns
Flemish aristocracy supported France
Merchant class supported England
The war presented many opportunities for honor, advancement, and wealth for nobles

5. France & England during The 100 Years War

6. The Hundred Years’ War Importance Nationalism grows
Both countries sensationalized the evils of the other
Fostered mutual hatred
Military
Ended medieval tactics and chivalric rules of war
England won most of the battles
Used artillery for the 1st time & the longbow,
Which unhorsed knights in armor, superior to the crossbow
The cannon meant stone castles were obsolete
France won the war
Joan of Arc – spurred nationalistic fervor

7. The Hundred Years’ War Joan of Arc
Peasant girl
16 years old
Heard voices urging her to help the dauphin (uncrowned king)
Convinced king to allow her to accompany an army to the siege of Orleans.
Her leadership inspired the soldiers
10 days later England withdrew
10 days after that Charles was crowned
Joan was captured by Burgundians
Sold her to England
Tried and executed for witchcraft and heresy
Cut her hair
Wore men’s clothes
Claimed to hear directly from God
Became one of two patron saints of France

8. The Hundred Years’ War Consequences
Death Toll was huge in contrast to medieval wars
Economies in France where the battles were fought, were devastated.
England’s economy suffered due to the stunning costs of the war
Plunder soldiers brought back added to their coffers
Government raised taxes on wool – making it harder to sell aboard, thus hurting the economy
Parliament grew - Constitutional Monarchy advanced
Edward III called Parliament into session 37 out of the 50 years of his reign to ask for finances for the war.
Commons separated from the Lords
Commons – knights and wealthy
Right to approve non-feudal levies – financial power
England only had one Parliament – other countries had dominate regional/provincial assemblies

9. The Hundred Years’ War Seeds of change – Parliament
Limited monarchy (nearly 800 years)
Origin
The Magna Carta
The barons of England forced King John to sign – 1215
Established limitations on royal power
Restricted judicial powers of the king
Protected the barons, clergy and burghers (wealthy townsmen) from arbitrary arrest or cruel punishment
Granted trial by jury
Required the “common consent of the realm” for new taxes
During the 100 Years’ War
The king needed the common consent to acquire more (and more) funds for the war
Parliament became more powerful
A feudal origin the Magna Carta guaranteed right to the ruling elites, that were extended over the centuries to all royal subjects