A defining historical event of the middle ages was The Hundred Years War, a prolonged series of military and political conflicts waged between England and France. From 1337 to 1453 the two kingdoms fought a series of battles and wars which were caused by a combination of factors, including the status of England’s French provinces, political and economic conflicts in Flanders and Scotland, and Edward III’s claim to the French throne (Curry, 2003). The war had a lasting influence on European history because it changed solidified French and English nationalism, transformed their militaries, and contributed to the decline of the feudal system
Before the Hundred Years War, the kings of England and France were closely related and feudalistic. As a result of the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to King Henry II in the 12th century (Curry, 2003). England controlled Gascony, which was a large provincial territory in southern France. As a fiefdom, it was not completely sovereign, and owed its allegiance and paid taxes to the king of France. A conflict developed because the English wanted complete sovereignty, and the French believed the territory was legally a part of France. The French wanted Gascony back because it was fertile farm land. More importantly, the French felt trapped between England and Flanders to the north, and English to the South. Eventually King Phillip attacked Gascony, and the English and Flemish retaliated starting The Hundred Years War (Curry, 2003).
Along with English territory deep in the hear of France, there were other disputes between the two royal families. Royal lineage was tricky because of intermarriage between England, France and other European monarchies. Edward III believed he was the rightful King of France, because his mother was the daughter of the French King Philip the Fair. Eventually, Edward III gave up his claim to the French throne and began paying taxes and homage to Phillip (Curry, 2003). However, there was bad blood between the two kings because Edward had questioned the legitimacy of Phillip, which is never good for an absolute monarch.
Other causes of the Hundred Years War were economic conflict and political instability throughout Europe. The French monarchy controlled Flanders, which was an important and wealthy trading and wool manufacturing area. The French attempted to overtax the industrious Flemish, who grew resentful and identified and associated more closely with the English (Curry, 2003). On the other hand, England was having problems and wars with Scotland, who were closely allied to the French. These allegiances were instrumental in setting the stage for many of the battles during the conflict.
England won the Hundred Years War, thanks to their strong archers and Henry V’s military victories and possession of most of France, however, France gradually seized control over their original territory, briefly motivated by the religious zeal of Joan of Arc. There was no peace treaty or official end to the conflicts. Much of France had been destroyed during the war, and the plague and famine had worn out the French people. The English were weary too, as the economy was weakened from military expenditures and the loss of their territory in France. As a long historical period categorized as a war, it slowly fizzled out as the English and French focused on new problems in their newly defined territorial space (Curry, 2003).
Ultimately, The Hundred Years War changed both countries. Before the war, feudal armies were organized and controlled by aristocrats, who pledged allegiance to their king. Slowly, these forces became less noble and chivalric; they were more modern and democratized, comprised mostly of commoners. Both countries forged a new national identity during the war. After this period, England saw itself as an island nation, and not really part of continental Europe. As a result, they focused on their naval power, becoming the worlds imperial superpower. The war also sparked the decline of feudalism. Before the war, France and England was divided and isolated into fiefdoms and provinces. After over a hundred years of fighting for a national cause, the feeling of French and English nationalism started to emerge. The people of France and England united under a national flag, rather than regional alliances. The aristocratic class was weakened and the power and control of the monarchs increased dramatically. Eventually, this centralization, would lead to democratic parliamentary governments in both countries. France and England, as we know them today, were largely defined and solidified during this time period.
Reference
Curry, A. (2003). The Hundred Years War. Palgrave Macmillan.
