The Hundred Years War Overview

A series of conflicts between England and France that lasted for 116 years, from 1337 to 1453.

The English kings claimed the French throne based on their ancestry. They were determined to control lands in both England and France.

The invasion of England by William of Normandy in 1066 AD, which laid the foundation for future conflicts between England and France.

The battle that took place in 1066 AD, where William of Normandy defeated Harold Godwinson, securing the English throne.

After the death of Philip IV, there was a dispute over who would become the next king of France. His daughter Isabella was married to the King of England, Edward II, and their son, Edward III, claimed the throne, but the nobility chose Philip of Valois, a nephew of the last king.

Edward III of England claimed the French throne in 1337, leading to the start of the Hundred Years' War.

A major battle of the Hundred Years' War in 1346, where the English, led by Edward III, defeated the French army. The use of the longbow and the weakness of the French cavalry contributed to the English victory.

An English weapon used effectively at battles like Crécy and Agincourt. Its ability to pierce armor and its long range gave the English a significant advantage over French knights.

A new weapon used by the English during the Hundred Years' War, which could fire projectiles, providing yet another advantage over traditional military tactics. While not as effective as the longbow, it was a step toward the advancement of weaponry.

A battle fought in 1356, where Edward, the Black Prince, son of Edward III, defeated the French army led by King John II, capturing the French king and leading to significant English gains.

A battle in 1415 where King Henry V of England decisively defeated the French army, gaining control over Normandy and Paris.

A truce signed in 1420 by King Henry V of England and Charles VI of France. Henry was to marry Catherine of Valois, daughter of Charles VI, and Charles VII, Charles VI's son, was disinherited, making Henry the heir to the throne of France.

The son of King Charles VI of France, who was disinherited and declared illegitimate by the Treaty of Troyes.

The deaths of King Henry V and King Charles VI in 1422 reignited the war. Henry VI, son of Henry V and Catherine of Valois, became king of both England and France, but Charles VII, claiming to be the rightful heir to the French throne, challenged Henry's claim, leading to the resumption of hostilities.

The French were demoralized, with the English in control of much of France, and with the Dauphin, Charles VII, having little support.

A young woman who claimed to receive divine visions and messages from God. She became a symbol of French national pride and rallied the French forces.

Joan of Arc played a critical role in the French victory at the Siege of Orléans in 1429, inspiring the French troops and turning the tide of the war.

After the French victory at the Siege of Orléans, Joan of Arc led Charles VII to Reims, where he was officially crowned King of France, ending his disinheritance and giving the French a sense of hope.

Joan of Arc was captured by the English and condemned to death by being burned at the stake in 1431. Despite her execution, she became a martyr and a symbol of French resistance and faith.

The Hundred Years' War finally concluded in 1453. The Treaty of Paris confirmed the kingship of Charles VII over France. By the war's end, France was almost entirely independent of England.

A strategic alliance between England and Burgundy during the Hundred Years' War. Burgundy was a powerful French duchy that supported the English cause because of their own rivalry with the French crown.

A key figure in the Hundred Years' War, Henry V, became king of England in 1413. He led the successful English campaign in France, eventually forcing a truce and securing a claim to the French throne through the Treaty of Troyes.

King John II of France was captured at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. His capture had a significant impact on the war, forcing him to sign the Treaty of Brétigny and leading to a period of English dominance in France.

An important figure in the Hundred Years' War, the Black Prince, son of Edward III, was known for his military prowess and played a key role in the Battle of Poitiers.

The English, due to better weaponry and tactics, were able to defeat the French in various key battles, giving them the upper hand in the larger conflict. English archers and longbows played a crucial role in these victories.

The Hundred Years' War impacted political and social structures. The war led to a decline in French power, but it also fostered a sense of French national identity. It introduced new weaponry and military tactics, contributing to the evolution of warfare.

Philip of Valois, the chosen successor to the French throne after the death of Philip IV, was the nephew of the last king, but his claim was challenged by Edward III of England, igniting the Hundred Years' War.