Hundred Years' War

General

The Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) was a long dynastic and territorial conflict between the kingdoms of England and France.
It consisted of multiple campaign phases, truces, and political crises rather than uninterrupted warfare.

Overview

Category	Details
Timeframe	1337-1453
Main Belligerents	Kingdom of England vs Kingdom of France
Core Disputes	Dynastic claims to the French crown, territorial control in France
Key Military Features	Longbow warfare, chevauchee raids, sieges, artillery growth
Historical Outcome	French reconquest of most contested territories and end of major English holdings in France

Historical Background

The war emerged from overlapping causes:

English dynastic claims after the Capetian succession crisis.
Rival control over regions such as Aquitaine.
Competition for political influence and trade networks.

Chronological Course

1. Opening Phase (1337-1360)

England gained major victories in field battles and at sea.

Key battles:

2. French Recovery and Prolonged Attrition (1360-1415)

France rebuilt military and fiscal capacity while avoiding some earlier tactical errors.
The conflict remained active through raids, sieges, and shifting alliances.

3. Lancastrian High Point (1415-1429)

English momentum returned with Henry V's campaign.

Key battle:

Battle of Azincourt, 1415

4. French Revival and Final Victory (1429-1453)

A French political and military resurgence shifted the balance decisively.

Key battles and sieges:

Notable Battles

Important Personalities

Consequences

Consolidation of royal power in France.
Decline of major English territorial ambitions in mainland France.
Military transition toward greater artillery effectiveness in late-medieval warfare.