Hundred Years' War: Ducksters

Hundred Years' War

What was it and how did it start?

The Hundred Years War was fought between England and France and lasted from 1337 to 1453. The war was a series of battles with long periods of peace in between.

Small disputes and battles had been going on between the French and the English for years. However, in 1337, King Edward III of England claimed that he was the rightful king of France. This began the long battle between the two countries.

Other disputes kept the fighting going for over one hundred years. These included the control of the valuable wool trade, disputes over certain areas of land, and the support for Scotland by the French.

​Edward III

King Edward III believed that he was the rightful heir to the French crown through his mother Isabella. He first laid claim to the throne when he was fifteen years old and King Charles IV of France died without a male heir. Instead of Edward, the French chose Philip to be their king.

When King Philip VI of France took control of Aquitaine from the English in 1337, King Edward III decided to fight back. He decided to invade France and reassert his right to the French throne.

Chevauchées

Edward did not attempt to conquer and control the land of the French. Instead he led raids into the land called chevauchées. He would strike deep into the land of the French burning crops, plundering cities, and causing havoc.

The Black Prince

In the 1350s, the army of King Edward III was led by his son, the valiant Edward the "Black Prince". The Black Prince became a famous hero to the English and was known for his chivalry. The Black Prince led the English to major victories over the French. At the battle of Poitiers, the Black Prince captured King John II, the current King of France.

​Peace

King Edward agreed to release King John II for a ransom of three million crowns and some additional land. When King Edward died, the son of the Black Prince, Richard II became King. He was only 10 years old. There was a period of relative peace between England and France.

Battle of Agincourt

When King Henry V became king of England in 1413, he once again laid claim to the throne of France. He invaded France and won a decisive battle at Agincourt where with only around 6,000 soldiers he defeated a much larger French force of around 25,000. Eventually, the French gave in and King Charles VI named Henry as the heir to the throne.

​Joan of Arc

Many of the people in southern France did not accept English rule. In 1428 the English began to invade southern France. They began a siege of the city of Orleans. However, a young peasant girl by the name of Joan of Arc took leadership of the French army. She claimed to have seen a vision from God. She led the French to a victory at Orleans in 1429. She led the French to several more victories before she was captured by the English and burned at the stake.

​End of the War

The French were inspired by Joan of Arc's leadership and sacrifice. They continued to fight back. They pushed the English army out of France taking Bordeaux in 1453 signaling the end of the Hundred Years War.

​Interesting Facts about the Hundred Years War

• The English longbow played a large part in their victories. It could fire faster and farther than the French crossbow.

• The war had a lot to do with transforming France from a number of feudal lands to a national state.

• The war stopped for a long period during the Black Death of the Bubonic plague.

• Historians often split the war into three main periods: the Edwardian War (1337-1360), the Caroline War (1369-1389), and the Lancastrian War (1415-1453).

• It didn't last exactly 100 years, but 116 years. That means a lot of people lived their entire lives while the war was going on.

Multiple Choice

When did the Hundred Years War start?

• 1400

• 1337

• 1300

• 1350

Multiple Choice

Who claimed to be the rightful king of France in 1337, sparking the Hundred Years War?

• King Edward III

• King Charles IV

• King Henry V

• King Philip VI

Multiple Choice

What was the main reason King Edward III laid claim to the French throne?

• His mother was French

• He was born in France

• He married a French princess

• He conquered parts of France

Multiple Choice

What type of military tactics did Edward III use in France?

• Chevauchées

• Naval blockades

• Sieges

• Diplomatic negotiations

Multiple Choice

Who was the famous English hero known for his chivalry during the Hundred Years War?

• Richard II

• The Black Prince

• King Henry V

• Joan of Arc

Multiple Choice

What significant event happened at the Battle of Poitiers?

• The Black Prince was captured

• The war ended

• The French won

• King John II was captured

Multiple Choice

What was the outcome of the Battle of Agincourt?

• Stalemate

• English victory

• English defeat

• French victory

Multiple Choice

Who led the French to victory at Orleans in 1429?

• The Black Prince

• King Henry V

• King Charles VI

• Joan of Arc

Multiple Choice

What role did Joan of Arc claim to have in her leadership?

• Royal blood

• Political influence

• Divine guidance

• Military genius

Multiple Choice

What marked the end of the Hundred Years War?

• The death of Joan of Arc

• The capture of Bordeaux

• The Treaty of Paris

• The Battle of Agincourt

Multiple Choice

The Hundred Years' War was fought between which two countries?

• France and Spain

• England and France

• Germany and Italy

• Spain and Portugal

Multiple Choice

What role did the Church play in medieval society?

• It was primarily a place for social gatherings

• It had no real power or influence

• It was the center of education, culture, and spiritual life

• It served as the main trading center

Multiple Choice

What happened to Joan of Arc?

• She died of old age

• She was killed in battle

• she was burned at the stake by the English

Multiple Choice

What weapon help the English win many of the early battle of the Hundred Years' War?

• catapult

• longbow

• crossbow