Causes
- 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.
Self review
- 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.
