100 Years War

The Hundred Years’ War lasted about one hundred sixteen years and is usually divided into three or four sections. The war was between the English and the French, two of the major countries during the middle ages. It had many causes and also many results. The main result was French victory. The English won most of the major battles but in the end, France’s superior numbers became the deciding factor. The Hundred Year’s War was an event that had lasting results that helped shape Europe.

The main cause for the war was dynastic arguments, but there were also many other causes and contributions. First, around 1316, Philip V, French heir to the throne, spread rumors that Joan, Louis X’s daughter was an illegitimate child. He wanted the throne for himself, so he convinced the people that women should not be able to inherit the throne or carry the rights to their children. Then Edward III, king of England, became the only male descendant of the Capetian Dynasty. He could then claim rights to the French throne. The French disagreed because he was a descendant of Isabella, a woman. The French also did not want a foreign king. So they crowned Philip of Valois as Philip VI, the next French king. Philip VI wanted Edward III to recognize him as king of France and cease claiming to be the rightful heir. Edward III disagreed and so declared war.

Also, the French were threatening England’s profitable wool trade with the Flemish Duchy. They were also supporting the Scottish when England was at war with Scotland. This made Edward III angry. France was mad because the English controlled part of France. So, France took back Gascony and Edward III declared war.

The first phase of the war is called the Edwardian War, lasting from 1337 to 1360. The English won all of the major battles during this phase; the Battle of Sluys, the Battle of Crecy, and the Battle of Poitiers. The Battle of Sluys took place on June 24, 1340. It was a naval battle between Edward III’s fleet of about 250 ships, and France’s fleet of about 190 ships. Also, the French state that the Flemish fleet joined in the fight on the night of the 24^th. The French fleet had lined up with their ships tied together in front of the town of Sluys, between West Flanders and Zeeland. The English Fleet lined up in two lines, one to attack the enemy’s front and one to attack their flank, and fought for one day and one night. The fighting was intense hand-to-hand combat on the decks of the ships. The casualties are reported to be light for the English and very heavy for the French. The result was an English victory and the destruction of the French fleet in the English Channel.