The First Hundred Years' War PDF

## The Late Middle Ages in Europe - The First Hundred Years' War The 12th century CE was another period of instability and conflict in Europe, particularly between England and France. This period occurred from 1159 CE to 1259 CE and was known as the First Hundred Years' War. * At the time, there w...

## The Late Middle Ages in Europe - The First Hundred Years' War The 12th century CE was another period of instability and conflict in Europe, particularly between England and France. This period occurred from 1159 CE to 1259 CE and was known as the First Hundred Years' War. * At the time, there were two major kingdoms in England and France. * The Plantagenet family ruled most of England and owned a great deal of land in France. In fact, nearly half of France was owned by the English kings, Henry II, Richard I, and John. * The French kings of the Capet family, Louis VII and, later, Philip Augustus, wanted to regain control of their own lands. They began fighting the English kings. **Henry II** became King of England in 1154 CE. He decided to expand England's territory in France, winning several major battles. When **Philip Augustus** became King of France in 1180 CE, he fought back against Henry. He persuaded Henry's son, **Richard**, to help him against his father. Richard's nickname was Richard the Lionheart, because of his reputation as a great warrior and leader. When Henry died in 1189 CE, Richard became the new King of England. Although Richard the Lionheart was close to King Philip, Philip kept attacking the English lands in France. He convinced John, Richard's brother, to rebel against Richard. King Philip's strategies were successful, and he was able to regain many of his lost territories. **John** became King of England in 1199 CE after Richard died from injuries in battle. Over the next 50 years, conflicts continued between France and England, with France winning battle after battle. In 1215 the king signed the Magna Carta, a document that protected the rights of wealthy landowners. King John did not follow the rules of the Magna Carta which prompted the landowners to fight with the king. England was weakened by wars within its own country at the same time as outside the country. The First Hundred Years' War lasted until 1259, exactly one hundred years after it began. It ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on December 4, 1259. The treaty was signed by King John's son, Henry III, and the King of France, Louis IX. By signing the treaty, Henry III agreed to give up many of his lands in France, and officially ended the First Hundred Years' War. The document shows a picture of the statue of Richard the Lionheart and a picture of the Magna Carta document.