Began as a dynastic dispute over the French throne after the death of Charles IV (1328). Edward III of England claimed the crown through his mother, Isabella of France.
Long-standing Anglo-French tensions over control of territories in France escalated.
Economic rivalries emerged, particularly over control of the wool trade and the Flemish cloth industry.
The decline of feudal loyalty and the growing importance of centralized monarchies.
Course of the War
1337–1360: Early English victories, including Crécy (1346) and the capture of Calais (1347).The Black Death disrupted both sides.
Treaty of Brétigny (1360) recognized Edward III’s sovereignty over large French territories in exchange for renouncing his claim to the French throne.
1369–1389: French resurgence under Charles V, reclaiming much of the lost territory. English fortunes declined due to poor leadership and internal unrest.
Introduction of new military tactics, such as English longbowmen and more professional armies.
Impact
The war drained finances, leading to increased taxation and political discontent in both kingdoms.
Military innovations, including the decline of heavily armored knights and the rise of infantry-based warfare.
In England, parliament’s influence grew as kings needed regular taxation approval.
In France, devastation in rural areas contributed to peasant uprisings like the Jacquerie (1358).
Significance
Shift from feudal warfare to early forms of national armies.
Strengthened concepts of national identity in both England and France.
Long-term weakening of English territorial claims in France.
Case study
The Black Death
The Black Death struck Europe in 1347–1351, killing an estimated 30–50% of the population.
It arrived in the middle of the first phase of the Hundred Years’ War (1337–1360), disrupting both military and political developments.
The plague killed many soldiers, reducing England’s ability to maintain large armies in France.
Loss of labor caused wages to rise and agricultural production to drop, straining royal finances already burdened by war costs.
The need for higher taxation to fund the war became increasingly unpopular, leading to parliamentary resistance and discontent among the commons.
Exam technique
Show clear chronological awareness of the two phases (1337–1360, 1369–1389) and avoid merging them.
Include both political/dynastic causes and economic/military ones.
Don’t just list battles. Link events to their political and social consequences.
Where possible, contrast effects in England and France.
Common Mistake
Over-focusing on battles without explaining their broader consequences.
Confusing the Hundred Years’ War with later phases (e.g., Joan of Arc’s era, which is beyond 1389 in this section).
Forgetting the role of treaties like Brétigny in shaping the war’s progress.
Ignoring the impact of the Black Death on military campaigns and social unrest.
Tip
Use key treaties and battles as anchor points in your essay.
Link causes, events, and consequences clearly.
Include at least one historiographical perspective, e.g., the debate over whether the war was truly about the throne or more about territorial/economic control.
Practice writing thematic paragraphs (e.g., military change, taxation, political legitimacy) rather than purely chronological accounts.
Active recall
To what extent did the Black Death weaken the ability of both England and France to conduct the Hundred Years’ War?
Assess the impact of the Black Death on the social and economic conditions in France and England during the Hundred Years’ War.
Examine how the Black Death influenced popular unrest and political instability in England and France during the Hundred Years’ War.