4.4 The Hundred Years' War - TEACH -

• History
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 1

AGE 4: The Time of cities and states

4.4  the Hundred Years' War

AGE 4: The Time of cities and states

4.4  the Hundred Years' War

Theory

Look at the family tree.
Think of a reason why Edward III could claim the
throne of France over Philip VI.

Look at the family tree.
Think of a reason why Philip VI could claim the
throne of France over Edward III.

people in this lesson

Edward III

king

England

Philip VI

king

France

Joan of Arc

military leader

France

Important dates in this lesson:

1302: States-General established in France

1337 - 1453: the Hundred Years' War

1346: Battle of Crécy

1429: Siege of Orléans

1431: Joan of Arc burned at the stake

Between 1337 and 1453, a number of wars were fought out between the English and French kings. All the battles took place on French territory. Together, these wars are called the Hundred Years’ War. They proved to be very important for the development of England and France.

4.4.1

An 18th century  painting by Benjamin West depicting Edward III of England (r. 1327-1377) crossing the Somme river in 1346  in his campaign during the Hundred Years' War (1332-1453 ) against France. (Windsor Castle Collection)

The wars between France and England raged from 1337-1453, so actually it lasted for 116 years. Historians use the name ‘Hundred Years’ War however, as a convenient term.

Defending trade routes

• England has a large influence on European trade: Selling wool in Bruges, buying woollen sheets and cloth, and wine from Aquitaine.
• Because of this, Edward III did not want to lose his land in France > Expanding his territory would make trade with Bruges and its surroundings easier and safer. 
• Last but not least, Philip VI supported the Scottish, who were at war with England > All these factors = war on the French!

4.4.5

15th century painting of a battle for the French city of Caen.

The French language had a permanent influence on English. The English language for example, has many doublets: Two or more words with the same meaning. Examples of doublets are: ‘fragile’ and ‘frail’ from the French word ‘fragile’ or ‘guarantee’ and ‘warrantee’ from the French word ‘garantie’. Doublets formed because many French words were borrowed more than once.

Some French words were also changed into English words. Keep in mind that the French do not pronounce the letter ‘h’ when you compare the English word ‘war’ with the French word ‘guerre’ for example.

English troops and their weapons

• Conquering many French cities, although often outnumbered to the french.
• Bowmen from Wales
• Longbows: great force, large distances.
• Employing cheap mercenaries = people hired to fight for money.
• French had heavy armor with crossbows.

4.4.6

Dvd cover of a documentary about the Hundred Years' War

4.4.7

Cover of a modern book about the weapons and uniforms of soldiers of the Hundred Years' War

The Battle of Crécy

• The Battle of Crécy in 1346 
• The French used crossbows. 
• Although only around 14,000 soldiers fought on English side, they were victorious over the 25,000 French soldiers. Estimates state that less than 300 English soldiers were killed.
• The battle was typical of the first phase of the war.

4.4.8

The Battle of Crécy as painted in a chronicle by Jean Froissart (14th century).

4.4.9

Modern illustration of the battle strategy of the Battle of Crécy

The French fight back

At the beginning of the fifteenth century, not much was left of the French kingdom - even Paris was taken by the English. Then, something unexpected happened: a French girl named Joan of Arc (1412-1431) said that God had spoken to her. She gradually brought back morale and gave the French soldiers more confidence. After a decisive victory at Orléans, the French slowly reconquered terrain. Within twenty years, the English were completely driven out of France.

4.4.10

Joan of Arc is leading the French army during the siege of Orléans. 19th century painting.

4.4.11

Joan of Arc appears invincible in a romantic depiction by 19th-century artist August Gustav Lasinsky. She turned the tide of the Hundred Years War, setting the stage for Charles VII’s defeat of Henry VI’s lieutenants.

Effects of the war

• The English lost all their territory in France.
• Huge losses for both countries
• Because all the battles were fought in France, the French economy suffered most.
• Despite everything a feeling of nationalism in both countries= feelings of pride for your country
• English nationalism = increasing use of the English language
• The English language becomes more important in official affairs

4.3.12

15th century painting of the Battle of Agincourt during the Hundred Years' war

The French language had a permanent influence on English. The English language for example, has many doublets: Two or more words with the same meaning. Examples of doublets are: ‘fragile’ and ‘frail’ from the French word ‘fragile’ or ‘guarantee’ and ‘warrantee’ from the French word ‘garantie’. Doublets formed because many French words were borrowed more than once.

Some French words were also changed into English words.  Compare the English word ‘war’ with the French word ‘guerre’ for example.

National heroine Joan of Arc

• Not much left of the French kingdom
• Joan of Arc (1412-1431)
• At 16 she earned the kings trust and got placed as head of the troops.
• Siege of Orléans proved succesful
• Captured by the English.
• Accused of heresy = beliefs against the church
• Burned to death at the stake

4.3.13

Joan of Arc burned at the stake. Painting by Jules Lenepveu (1819-1898), 1889. Pantheon, Paris

4.3.14

St. Joan of Arc is depicted in a stained-glass window at Immaculate Conception Church in Westhampton Beach, N.Y.

Saint Jeanne d’Arc, The Maid of Orleans is a recognized Saint of the Roman Catholic Church. Although she was excommunicated and burned at the stake for heresy by local officials in 1431, central Church officials would later nullify her excommunication, declaring her a martyr unjustly executed for a secular vendetta. Her legend would grow from there, leading to her beatification in 1909 and her canonization in 1920.

4.3.15

Beatification of Joan of Arc by pope Pius X, 1909

Political consequences

• French kings took back some land from their vassals. This is called centralisation = when a ruler wants to rule his land from a central point
• France became an organised state = a territory governed from one central place
• Before the war the French kings had established the States-General, but after the war they hardly ever met = a meeting of representatives from the three social classes in France
• English kings lost a lot of power to noblemen.
• The English parliament gained a lot of influence after the war = a meeting of English noblemen

4.3.10

Henry IV (left) and his antipope: Clement III (sitting next to him). Image from the Codex Jenensis Bose, 1157.

The word ‘parliament’ comes from the French word ‘parler’. It means ‘to talk’ or ‘to discuss’.

Summary 4.4

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