The beginning and end of the Hundred Years' War: briefly about the reasons. Historical pages of France - Hundred Years' War

What could be worse than a war, when hundreds of thousands of people die for the interests of politicians and those in power. And even more terrible are protracted military conflicts, during which people get used to living in conditions where death can overtake them at any moment, and human life has no value. This was exactly the reason, the stages, results and biographies of the characters that deserve careful study.

Causes

Before studying what the results of the Hundred Years War were, we should understand its prerequisites. It all started with the fact that the sons of the French king Philip the Fourth did not leave behind male heirs. At the same time, the monarch’s own grandson from his daughter Isabella was alive - the English king Edward III, who ascended the throne of England in 1328 at the age of 16. However, he could not claim the throne of France, according to Salic law. Thus, France reigned in the person of Philip the Sixth, who was the nephew of Philip the Fourth, and Edward the Third in 1331 was forced to take him a vassal oath for Gascony, a French region considered the personal property of the English monarchs.

Beginning and first stage of the war (1337-1360)

6 years after the events described, Edward the Third decided to compete for his grandfather’s throne and sent a challenge to Philip the Sixth. Thus began the Hundred Years' War, the causes and results of which are of great interest to those who study the history of Europe. After the declaration of war, the British launched an attack on Picardy, in which they were supported by the inhabitants of Flanders and the feudal lords of the southwestern counties of France.

In the first years after the outbreak of the armed conflict, hostilities proceeded with varying success, until the naval battle of Sluys took place in 1340. As a result of the British victory, the English Channel came under their control and remained so until the end of the war. Thus, in the summer of 1346, nothing could prevent the troops of Edward the Third from crossing the strait and capturing the city of Caen. From there the English army marched to Crecy, where the famous battle took place on August 26, ending in their triumph, and in 1347 they captured the city of Calais. In parallel with these events, hostilities unfolded in Scotland. However, fortune continued to smile on Edward III, who defeated the army of this kingdom at the Battle of Neville's Cross, and eliminated the threat of war on two fronts.

The plague pandemic and the conclusion of peace in Bretigny

In 1346-1351, Europe was visited by the Black Death. This plague pandemic claimed so many lives that there was no question of continuing hostilities. The only striking event of this period, sung in ballads, was the Battle of Thirty, when English and French knights and squires staged a massive duel, which was watched by several hundred peasants. After the end of the pestilence, England again began military operations, which were mainly led by the Black Prince, the eldest son of Edward the Third. In 1356 he defeated and captured the French king John II. Later, in 1360, the Dauphin of France, who was to become King Charles the Fifth, signed the so-called Peace of Bretigny on very unfavorable terms for himself.

Thus, the results of the Hundred Years' War at its first stage were as follows:

  • France was completely demoralized;
  • England acquired half of Brittany, Aquitaine, Poitiers, Calais and almost half of the enemy’s vassal possessions, i.e. John the Second lost power over a third of the territory of his country;
  • Edward the Third undertook, on his own behalf and on behalf of his descendants, to no longer claim the throne of his grandfather;
  • John the Second's second son, Louis of Anjou, was sent to London as a hostage in exchange for his father's return to France.

Peaceful period from 1360 to 1369

After the cessation of hostilities, the peoples of the countries involved in the conflict received a respite that lasted 9 years. During this time, Louis of Anjou fled from England, and his father, being a knight true to his word, went into voluntary captivity, where he died. After his death, he ascended the throne of France, who in 1369 unfairly accused the British of violating the peace treaty and resumed hostilities against them.

Second phase

Typically, those who study the course and results of the Hundred Years' War characterize the time period between 1369 and 1396 as a series of constant battles, in which, in addition to the main participants, the kingdoms of Castile, Portugal and Scotland were also involved. During this period the following important events occurred:

  • in 1370, with the help of the French, Enrique II came to power in Castile, who became their faithful ally;
  • two years later the city of Poitiers was liberated;
  • in 1372, at the Battle of La Rochelle, the Franco-Castilian combined fleet defeated the English squadron;
  • 4 years later the Black Prince died;
  • in 1377 Edward the Third died, and the minor Richard the Second ascended to the throne of England;
  • from 1392, the king of France began to show signs of madness;
  • four years later, a truce was concluded, caused by the extreme exhaustion of the opponents.

Truce (1396-1415)

When the king's madness became obvious to everyone, internecine strife began in the country, in which the Armagnac party won. The situation was no better in England, which entered into new war with Scotland, which also had to pacify the rebellious Ireland and Wales. In addition, Richard the Second was overthrown there, and Henry the Fourth, and then his son, reigned on the throne. Thus, until 1415, both countries were unable to continue the war and were in a state of armed truce.

Third stage (1415-1428)

Those who study the course and consequences of the Hundred Years' War usually call its most interesting event the appearance of such historical phenomenon, as a female warrior who was able to become the head of an army of feudal knights. We are talking about Joan of Arc, born in 1412, whose personality formation was greatly influenced by the events that occurred in 1415-1428. Historical science considers this period to be the third stage of the Hundred Years' War and identifies the following events as key:

  • the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, which was won by Henry the Fifth;
  • the signing of the Treaty of Troyes, according to which the distraught King Charles the Sixth declared the King of England his heir;
  • the English capture of Paris in 1421;
  • death of Henry the Fifth and his announcement one year old son king of England and France;
  • the defeat of the former Dauphin Charles, whom a significant part of the French considered the rightful king, at the Battle of Cravan;
  • the English siege of Orleans, which began in 1428, during which the world first learned the name of Joan of Arc.

End of the war (1428-1453)

The city of Orleans was of great strategic importance. If the British had managed to capture it, then the answer to the question “what are the results of the Hundred Years' War” would have been completely different, and the French might even have lost their independence. Fortunately for this country, a girl was sent down to her who called herself Joan of the Virgin. She arrived to the Dauphin Charles in March 1429 and announced that God had commanded her to stand at the head of the French army and lift the siege of Orleans. After a series of interrogations and tests, Karl believed her and appointed her commander-in-chief of his troops. As a result, on May 8, Orleans was saved, on June 18, Joan’s army defeated the British army at the Battle of Pat, and on June 29, at the insistence of the Virgin of Orleans, the Dauphin’s “Bloodless March” began in Reims. There he was crowned Charles the Seventh, but soon after that he stopped listening to the advice of the warrior.

A few years later, Jeanne was captured by the Burgundians, who handed the girl over to the British, who executed her, accusing her of heresy and idolatry. However, the results of the Hundred Years' War were already predetermined, and even the death of the Virgin of Orleans could not prevent the liberation of France. The last battle of this war was the Battle of Castiglione, when the British lost Gascony, which had belonged to them for more than 250 years.

Results of the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453)

As a result of this protracted inter-dynastic armed conflict, England lost all of its continental territories in France, retaining only the port of Calais. In addition, in response to the question about the results of the Hundred Years' War, experts in the field of military history answer that as a result, the methods of warfare radically changed, and new types of weapons were created.

Consequences of the Hundred Years' War

The echoes of this armed conflict predetermined the relations between England and France for centuries to come. In particular, until 1801, the English and then the British monarchs bore the title of kings of France, which did not in any way contribute to the establishment of friendly ties.

Now you know when the Hundred Years War took place, the causes, course, results and motives of the main characters of which have been the subject of study by many historians for almost 6 centuries.

The Hundred Years' War was a series of military conflicts between England and France that took place between 1337 and 1453.
Let us briefly consider the course of the Hundred Years' War.
The entire time period of the Hundred Years' War is divided into four periods.
The first is also called Edwardian - from 1337 to 1360. The second period is otherwise called the Caroline period from 1360 to 1389. The third is otherwise called the Lancastrian War (1415-1420). And the final stage lasted until 1453.
The official reason was the claims of the English king Edward III to the French throne (his mother was the sister of the recently deceased king). He laid claim to it in 1328. He was refused, and he began preparations for war.

First stage (1337–1360)

Let us briefly consider by date the main events of this period.
1340. The war began three years earlier, but only this year the British achieved their first significant result - they won the naval battle of Sluys.
1346. Edward's real triumph was the victory at Crecy. His soldiers, tired from the transition, were able to defeat the numerically superior enemy army. The credit for this victory belongs to the English archers.
1356. In the battle of Poitiers, Edward's son, nicknamed the Black Prince, had already distinguished himself. He not only led his people out of the trap and defeated the enemy, but also captured the French king John II.
1360. The captured monarch was played as a card at the conclusion of the peace treaty in Bretigny, according to which a third of French lands were recognized as English possessions, and a large ransom was paid for the king’s freedom.

Second stage (1360–1389)

Briefly characterizing this period of the Hundred Years' War, it should be noted that there were no major military battles during this period. This is rather a time of reform and diplomatic struggle. But the French gradually began to gain strength. The main role in this was played by the reforms carried out by Charles V.
A new branch of troops was introduced into the army - crossbowmen; switched from the tactics of predatory raids to partisan resistance; commanders were appointed not for titles, but for abilities.
1360-1368. Two contenders - one from England, the other from France - competed for the hand of Marguerite de Malle, because her dowry was the County of Flanders. The Pope supported the representative of France.
1373. In the course of renewed active hostilities, Charles V conquers Normandy and Brittany from the British.
1396. A rapprochement began between the countries, primarily due to the mutual sympathy of the monarchs. As a result, England (Richard II) and France (Charles VI) concluded a truce for a period of 28 years.
1399. The cessation of the predatory war did not suit the English feudal lords. The barons organized a coup in the country, overthrew Richard II and proclaimed Henry IV of Lancaster king. He confirmed the truce, but decided to destabilize the situation in France by supporting the warring feudal factions.
1413. Henry V becomes King of England. He is ready to resume the war in France.

Third stage (1415–1420)

If we give a brief assessment of this period, here again we observe the strengthening of the British.
1415. The Battle of Agincourt, in which 6 thousand soldiers of Henry V opposed a many times larger army of the French (according to different estimates from 30 to 50 thousand). Thanks to the archers, the British won.
1420. Signing of the peace treaty in Troyes. Briefly, the essence of the document was that King Henry V of England was appointed regent under the weak-minded King Charles VI - later he was to become the head of both countries.
1422. This year, one after the other, both persons involved in the document signed in Troyes died: first Henry, then Charles VI.

Fourth stage (1422–1453)

At the final stage of the Hundred Years' War decisive role played a change in the foreign policy situation and the strengthening of the liberation movement in France.
On behalf of England, the war was continued by the Duke of Bedford, appointed regent under Henry VI.
1428. Bedford led a successful offensive and this year began the siege of Orleans.
1429. Thanks to Joan of Arc, the French managed to defend the besieged city and later win the Battle of Patay.
07/17/1429. Through the efforts of Joan of Arc, the coronation of the Dauphin Charles (now Charles VII) took place in Reims.
1431. In response, the British hold the coronation of Henry VI in Paris, declaring him king of France.
1431. The English execute Joan of Arc by burning her at the stake. But this can no longer stop the liberation movement, which manifested itself in anti-English conspiracies, in the joining of volunteers to the army of Charles VII, in riots in Normandy.
1435. Bedford, who had previously ensured the successful offensive of the British in France, dies.
1436. The French recapture Paris.
1449. Charles VII liberates Normandy from the British.
1451. The English were driven out of Aquitaine.
August 1453. The Battle of Chatillon, in which the British were defeated, but retained part of their forces and settled in Bordeaux. In October they too surrendered. This is considered the official end of the Hundred Years' War. Although a peace treaty was not signed due to the mental instability of Henry VI and the troubles that began in England (the War of the Roses).

The Hundred Years' War was not a war between England and France, but rather a series of conflicts that lasted from 1337 to 1453, mainly in the kingdom of France.
The war lasted 116 years, and it was not permanent, as it continued intermittently. The entire Hundred Years' War can be divided into four periods:
– Edwardian War (the period lasted from 1337 – 1360);
– Carolingian War (lasted from 1369 – 1396);
– Lancastrian War (lasted from 1415 – 1428);
- and the final period of the Hundred Years' War (from 1428 to 1453);

Causes of the Hundred Years' War

The war began due to disputes over the succession to the throne of the kingdom of France. The English king Edward claimed his rights to the throne of France in connection with the Salic law. In addition, the English king wanted to return the lands lost by his father. The new French king Philip VI demanded that the English monarch recognize him as the sovereign ruler of France. Also, the warring parties had a constant conflict over the ownership of Gascony, the British retained the right to own it in exchange for recognizing Philip as a sovereign king.
But when Edward went to war against France's ally Scotland, the French king began to prepare a plan to capture Gascony and land his troops on the territory of the British Isles.
The Hundred Years' War began with the landing of the English army on French territory, and their further attack on Picardy (territory in North-East France).

Progress of the Hundred Years' War

As already mentioned, the first move was made by the English king Edward, invading the territory of Picardy in 1337. During this period, the French fleet completely dominated the English Channel, which did not allow the British to act more confidently. They constantly had the threat that the French army would land on English territory and, moreover, in such a situation it was impossible to undertake massive transfers of troops to French territory. This changed in 1340 when the English fleet defeated the French at the naval Battle of Sluys. Now the British were completely in control of the English Channel.
In 1346, Edward led a large army and landed near the city of Caen, and then captured the city itself within a day, which shocked the French command; no one expected that the city would fall in just one day. Philip moved to meet Edward and the two armies clashed at the Battle of Crécy. On August 26, 1346, the famous battle took place, which is considered to be the beginning of the end of the era of chivalry. The French army, despite the numerical advantage, was completely defeated; the French knights could not do anything against the English archers, who showered them with a real hail of arrows, both from the front and from the flank.
In connection with the plague epidemic, countries stopped fighting, as the disease claimed hundreds of times more lives than war. But after the epidemic stopped raging, in 1356 the king’s son Edward the Black Prince with a new, even larger army invaded the territory of Gascony. In response to these actions, the French withdrew their army to meet the British. On September 19, both armies clashed in the famous Battle of Poitiers. The French again outnumbered the British. However, despite this advantage, the British, thanks to successful maneuvers, were able to capture the French army and even capture the King of France, John the Good, son of Philip VI. To buy back their king, France gave a ransom equal to two years of the country's income. This was a crushing defeat for French military thought; finally, they managed to understand that it is not numerical advantage that decides the outcome of the battle, but successful command and maneuvers on the battlefield.
The first stage of the war ended with the signing of the Breton Peace in 1360. As a result of his campaign, Edward received half the territory of Brittany, all of Aquitaine, Poitiers, and Calais. France lost a third of its entire territory.
The peace lasted nine years until the new king of France, Charles V, declared war on England, wanting to regain previously lost territories. During the truce, the French managed to reorganize the army and again increase their military power. The English army was carried away by the war on the Iberian Peninsula, which is why the French achieved a number of important victories in the seventies of the fourteenth century, thereby regaining a number of previously captured territories. After the death of King Edward and his son the Black Prince, the young King Richard II took the throne. Scotland took advantage of the king's inexperience, thereby starting the war. The British lost this war, suffering a heavy defeat at the Battle of Otterburn. England was forced to conclude a peace unfavorable for it.
After Richard, Henry IV ascended the throne of England, planning to take revenge on the French. But the offensive had to be adjusted due to the difficult situation in the country, it was mainly a war with Scotland and Wales. But when the situation in the country returned to normal, a new offensive began in 1415.
Henry himself was unable to carry out his invasion of France, but his son Henry V succeeded in doing so. The English king landed in France and decided to march on Paris, but he lacked food and the French put forward a large army to meet him, which outnumbered the English. Henry was forced to prepare for defense at the small settlement of Agincourt.
There the famous Battle of Agincourt began, as a result of which the English archers completely defeated the heavy French horsemen and inflicted a crushing defeat on France. As a result of this victory, the king of England managed to capture the territory of Normandy and the key cities of Caen and Rouen. Over the next five years, Henry managed to capture almost half of all French lands. To stop the takeover of France, King Charles VI concluded a truce with Henry, the main condition being the succession to the throne of France. From that moment on, all kings of England had the title of King of France.
Henry's victories ended in 1421, when Scottish troops entered the battle and defeated the English army at the Battle of Beauge. In this battle, the British lost their command, which is why they lost the battle. Soon after this, Henry V dies, and his young son takes the throne.
Despite the defeat, the British quickly recovered and already in 1423 responded to the French with revenge, defeating them at the Battle of Cravan, again destroying an army outnumbered. It was followed by several more important victories for the English army, and France found itself in a serious difficult situation.
In 1428, the turning point battle of Orleans took place. It was on the day of this battle that a striking figure appeared - Joan of Arc, who broke through the British defenses and thereby brought an important victory for France. The following year, the French army under the command of Joan of Arc again defeated the British at the Battle of Pat. This time the numerical advantage of the British played a cruel joke on them; this battle can be called a mirror of the Battle of Agincourt.
In 1431, Jeanne was captured by the British and executed, but this could no longer affect the outcome of the war; the French rallied and continued to attack resolutely. From that moment on, the French army began to liberate one city after another, while driving the British out of their country. The final blow to England's power came in 1453 at the Battle of Castiglione. This battle became famous due to the first successful use of artillery, which played a key role in the battle. The British were completely defeated and all their attempts to turn the tide of the war were completely over.
This was the last battle of the hundred-year war, followed by the capitulation of the garrison of Bordeaux - the last key center of the British defense in Gascony.

Consequences of the war

A formal peace treaty was not signed for a decade, but the war ended and the British renounced their claim to the throne. The British were unable to achieve their goals, despite the initial success of the campaigns, only one remained in their possession Big City Calais and surrounding areas. Because of the defeat in England, the War of the White and Scarlet Roses began.
The role of infantry on the battlefield was increased, and chivalry gradually went into decline. For the first time, permanent regular armies appeared to replace the militia. The English bow demonstrated its advantage over the crossbow, but most importantly, the development of firearms V Western Europe and for the first time artillery firearms were successfully used.

A series of military conflicts between England and its allies, on the one hand, and France and its allies, on the other, lasting from approximately 1337 to 1453. The reason for these conflicts was the claims to the French throne of the English royal dynasty of the Plantagenets, seeking to return territories on the continent that previously belonged to the English kings. Since the Plantagenets were related by ties of kinship to the French Capetian dynasty, the English kings had considerable chances of gaining the French throne. France, in turn, sought to oust the British from Guienne, which was assigned to them by the Treaty of Paris in 1259, and to maintain its influence in Flanders.

Causes of the war

In 1328, the Capetian dynasty (in a direct line) ceased, since none of the sons of Philip IV left behind male offspring. Therefore, the French feudal lords chose a representative of the new dynasty - the Valois, the junior line of the Capetian family - to the royal throne. At the same time, the English king Edward III, the maternal grandson of Philip IV, also made claims to the French throne. These dynastic claims served as the pretext for the opening of hostilities between England and France in 1337, which marked the beginning of the longest war in history, called the Hundred Years' War. The real reason war was the struggle of France and England for the mastery of rich industrial Flanders and the desire of the English kings to regain into their hands those territories on the continent that were lost by England under John the Landless. The French kings, in turn, hoped to finally oust the English from France, who still owned part of Guienne (Aquitaine) there ).

SOURCE – 1 – dic.academic.ru

Dissatisfaction of both states with the terms of the Treaty of Paris of 1259 (France sought to oust the British from Guienne, the English king wanted to eliminate the vassal dependence of Guienne on France and return the regions lost to England - Normandy, Maine, Anjou, etc.); rivalry between England and France over Flanders, which fought against French domination and was economically drawn towards England. The reason for the war was the claims to the French. throne (due to the end of the Capetian dynasty in 1328) English. King Edward III (grandson of the French king Philip IV on the maternal side), who decided to challenge his rights with Philip VI of Valois (representative of a side branch of the Capetians), elected in 1328 in France. nobles by the king. Military Actions began in May 1337, and in the fall of 1337 the British organized an offensive in Picardy. The initial period of the war was successful for England, which had a well-organized army, the basis of which was made up of mercenary infantry, recruited by Ch. arr. from free peasants (archers, who played a big role in it, were famous throughout Europe), and hired knightly detachments; unified command was exercised by the king. Franz. the army was mainly feudal. knightly militia, not adapted to fighting on foot; there was virtually no unified command. Edward III was supported by the cities of Flanders, and in the southwest. France - many separatist-minded feudal lords and cities connected by trade with England. England won its first great victory at sea - at Sluys (1340), then on land - at Crecy (1346). In 1347, the British, after a long siege, took possession of the port of Calais. Then their successful offensive began in the southwest. Military the English campaign of 1355-56, carried out by the governor of Bordeaux (son of Edward III) “Black Prince”, ended in the defeat of the French. troops at Poitiers (1356). In this battle, John II the Good (who occupied the French throne from 1350) was captured. While in captivity in England, he signed the Treaty of London in 1359, according to which he ceded half of his kingdom to the English and promised a ransom of 4 million gold ecus for his release (these conditions were rejected by the Dauphin, who ruled in 1356-60 - in the absence of the king Karl). France during this period was in a very difficult situation: the plague epidemic that began in 1348 claimed about a third of the country's population in 11/2 years; the number of troops was sharply reduced; the treasury was empty, and for the further conduct of the war, for the ransom of John II and other captives, huge amounts of money were needed. On the conquered territory. rioted English troops. Economical devastation, an increase in extortions and taxes (especially after the Battle of Poitiers) caused the indignation of the people and led to the Parisian Uprising of 1357-58 and the Jacquerie (1358). Franz. The government was forced to agree to a difficult peace concluded in Bretigny in 1360. During the period of respite, Charles V (1364-80) reorganized the army, partially replacing the fief. militia by mercenary troops; artillery was improved; Greater powers were given to the constable. The tax system has been streamlined. Franz. The government entered into an alliance with the Count of Flanders, the king of Castile, and achieved the neutrality of the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Successes to the military. actions renewed by the French. troops in 1369, contributed to the partisan movement in the areas ceded to England; Constable B. Du Guesclin, a cautious and dexterous commander, played a major role. K con. 70s 14th century only the coast of the Bay of Biscay from Bayonne to Bordeaux, Brest, Cherbourg, Calais remained in the hands of the British. However, the military The French successes were not consolidated. During the reign of the mentally ill Charles VI (1380-1422), France was weakened by the feud. troubles, especially the civil strife between the Armagnacs and the Bourguignons. Robbery of both fiefs. click, tax increases caused people. uprisings (Mayotens, Tuschens, Kabochiens, etc.). Weakening of the military. The British took advantage of the power of France and resumed the war in 1415. In Oct. 1415 English army at Agincourt. King Henry V was defeated by the French. army. After a long siege (July 1418 - Jan. 1419), the British took Rouen, then, with the support of the Duke of Burgundy, captured the entire North. France (including Paris). On May 21, 1420, France was forced to sign the Treaty of Troyes, according to which the Dauphin Charles was removed from rule, Henry V married his sister, became the regent of France and the heir (and his descendants also) of the French. throne (after the death of Charles VI). According to the Treaty of Troyes, Henry V agreed not to encroach on the possessions of the Duke of Burgundy. Both Henry V and Charles VI died in 1422. The English and the Duke of Burgundy recognized Henry VI (who was not yet a year old) as the king of England and France, the son of Henry V; The Duke of Bedford was declared regent. The son of Charles VI, the Dauphin Charles (Charles VII), also proclaimed himself king. France found itself dismembered: the north and southwest were occupied by the British, in the east their possessions merged with the Burgundian possessions; the lands south of the Loire remained under the rule of Charles VII (with his residence in Bourges).

The population of the lands occupied by the British was subject to huge taxes, indemnities, and was robbed numerous garrisons; all this caused universal hatred of the invaders, people. resistance (especially in Normandy). Guerrilla warfare on these territories. didn't stop. When the British, in order to further advance south, in alliance with the Duke of Burgundy, laid siege to Orleans (1428), the entire French rose up to fight the invaders. people . Liberation the fight was led by Joan of Arc. In May 1429, after a 7-month siege, the French were liberated. troops (led by Joan of Arc) Orleans. This marked the beginning of a decisive turning point in the war. Under the leadership of Joan of Arc, French. the troops won a number of victories over the British. The defeat of the latter in June 1429 at Pathé opened the way for Joan of Arc to Reims, where Charles VII was solemnly crowned (July 1429). The execution of Joan of Arc by the British (May 1431) did not change the course of the war. The partisan movement against the British did not weaken. Bedford could not get enough subsidies from Parliament to wage the war. The Burgundian Duke Philip the Good, in connection with the turning point of the war in favor of France, went over to its side. On Sep. 1435 he made peace with Charles VII: recognized him as the legitimate sovereign of France, French. The king assigned to him the lands received from the English (Makonnay, Auxerrois, etc.), as well as cities along the Somme (with the right to buy them from France for 400,000 ecus). Having led the troops, in November. 1437 Charles VII entered Paris; then French. troops recaptured Champagne (1441), Maine and Normandy (1450), Guienne (1453). The surrender of the British in Bordeaux (October 19, 1453) marked the end of the war. England held the territory. France only Calais (until 1558). WITH . V . cost French. huge sacrifices to the people, caused damage to the country's economy. With the victory over the British, the annexation of Guienne to France was completed. During S. V . the national self-awareness French people; after S. V . The process of centralization of the French, interrupted by it, was resumed. state –va.

SOURCE – 2- francelex.ru

French Armed Forces

It should be noted that the French army of the 14th century consisted of a feudal knightly militia, the ranks of which included both noble knights and commoners, as well as foreign mercenaries (the famous Genoese crossbowmen).

Unfortunately, the system of universal conscription, which formally existed in France, practically disappeared by the beginning of the Hundred Years' War. Therefore, the king had to think and wonder: will the Duke of Orleans come to my aid? Will another duke or count help with his army? However, cities were able to field large military contingents, which included cavalry and artillery. All soldiers received payment for their service.

Les forces arm?es fran?aises se composaient de la milice f?odale chevaleresque. Le système de conscription universelle, qui existait formellement en France, au début de la guerre de Cent Ans presque disparu.

How France lived under Charles V

King Charles V of France reorganized the army and introduced important economic reforms. All this allowed the French to achieve significant military successes at the second stage of the war, in the 1370s. The British were driven out of the country. Despite the fact that the French province of Brittany was an ally of England, the Breton dukes showed loyalty to the French authorities, and even the Breton knight Bertrand Du Guesclin became the constable of France (commander-in-chief) and right hand King Charles V.

Charles le Sage
Charles V the Wise
During this period, Edward III was already too old to command an army and wage war, and England lost its best military leaders. Constable Bertrand Du Guesclin, following a cautious strategy, liberated many cities such as Poitiers (1372) and Bergerac (1377) in a series of military campaigns avoiding confrontations with large English armies. The allied fleet of France and Castile won a landslide victory at La Rochelle, destroying the English squadron in the process.

In addition to military successes, King Charles V of France was able to do a lot for his country. He reformed the taxation system, managing to reduce taxes and thereby make life easier for the common population of France. He reorganized the army, bringing order to it and making it more organized. He carried out a number of significant economic reforms that made life easier for peasants. And all this - in a terrible time of war!

Joan of Arc and the French victory

Having besieged Orleans, the British understood that their forces were not enough to organize a complete blockade of the city. In 1429, Joan of Arc met with the Dauphin Charles (who at that time was forced to hide with his supporters) and convinced him to give her troops to lift the siege of Orleans. The conversation was long and sincere. Karl believed the young girl. Zhanna managed to raise the morale of her soldiers. At the head of the troops, she attacked the English siege fortifications, forced the enemy to retreat, lifting the siege of the city. Thus, inspired by Joan, the French liberated a number of important fortified points in the Loire. Soon after this, Joan and her army defeated the English armed forces at Pat, opening the road to Reims, where the Dauphin was crowned King Charles VII.

Unfortunately, in 1430, the folk heroine Joan was captured by the Burgundians and handed over to the English. But even her execution in 1431 could not influence the further course of the war and pacify the morale of the French.

In 1435, the Burgundians sided with France, and the Duke of Burgundy helped King Charles VII take control of Paris. This allowed Charles to reorganize the army and government. The French commanders liberated city after city, repeating the strategy of Constable Bertrand Du Guesclin. In 1449, the French recaptured the Norman city of Rouen. At the Battle of Formigny, the French completely defeated the English troops and liberated the city of Caen. An attempt by English troops to recapture Gascony, which remained loyal to the English crown, failed: English troops suffered a crushing defeat at Castiglione in 1453. This battle was the last battle of the Hundred Years' War. And in 1453, the surrender of the English garrison in Bordeaux put an end to the Hundred Years' War.

SOURCE – 3 – istorya.ru

The Hundred Years' War between England and France is the longest military-political conflict in the history of the past. The term “war” in relation to this event as well as its chronological framework, is quite conditional, since military operations were not constantly carried out over a period of more than a hundred years. The source of the contradictions between England and France was the bizarre interweaving of the historical destinies of these countries, which began with the Norman conquest of England in 1066. The Norman dukes who established themselves on the English throne came from Northern France. They united England and part of the continent - the northern French region of Normandy - under their rule. In the 12th century The possessions of the English kings in France increased sharply as a result of the annexation of regions in Central and Southwestern France through dynastic marriages. After a long and difficult struggle, the French monarchy at the beginning of the 13th century. regained most of these lands. Together with the traditional possessions of the French kings, they formed the core of modern France.

However, the territory in the southwest remained under English rule - between the Pyrenees and the Loire Valley. In France it was called Guienne, in England Gascony. “English Gascony” became one of the main reasons that caused the Hundred Years' War. The preservation of English domination in the southwest made the position of the French Capetians precarious and interfered with the real political centralization of the country. For the English monarchy, this area could become a springboard in an attempt to regain its former vast possessions on the continent.

In addition, the two largest Western European monarchies vied for political and economic influence in the virtually independent County of Flanders (modern Netherlands). The Flemish cities, which purchased English wool, sent a wealthy merchant from Ghent, Jacob Artevelde, to England and offered Edward III the crown of France. At this time, the Valois dynasty (1328-1589), the younger line of the Capetians (the previous royal dynasty), established itself in France.
Another object of acute controversy was Scotland, whose independence was threatened by England. In search of political support in Europe, the Scottish kingdom sought an alliance with the main rivals of the English crown - France. As Anglo-French tensions intensified, both monarchies tried to strengthen their positions on the Iberian Peninsula. The Pyrenees countries were of particular interest to them due to the fact that they bordered “English Gascony”. All this led to the emergence of military-political alliances: Franco-Castilian (1288), Franco-Scottish (1295), between the English crown and the cities of Flanders (1340).

In 1337, the English king Edward III declared war on France, resorting to the natural for that time legal form: He proclaimed himself the rightful king of France in opposition to Philip VI of Valois, who was elected to the throne by the French feudal lords in 1328, after the death of his sonless cousin, King Charles IV - the last of the senior branch of the Capetian dynasty. Meanwhile, Edward III was the son of the elder sister of Charles IV, who was married to the English king.
1356 - Battle of Poitiers In the history of the war, there are four stages, between which there were periods of relatively long calm. The first stage is from the declaration of war in 1337 to the peace of 1360 in Bretigny. At this time, military superiority was on the side of England. The best organized English army won several famous victories - in the naval battles of Sluys (1346) and Poitiers (1356). The main reason for the English victories at Crecy and Poitiers was the discipline and tactical excellence of the infantry, which consisted of archers. The English army went through the harsh school of warfare in the Scottish highlands, while the French knights were accustomed to relatively easy victories and the glory of the best cavalry in Europe. Capable in fact only of individual combat, they did not know discipline and maneuver, they fought effectively, but not prudently. The organized actions of the English infantry under the clear command of Edward III led to two crushing defeats of the French army. A chronicler and contemporary of the Hundred Years' War wrote about the “death of French chivalry.” The terrible defeats of France, which lost its army and king (after Poitiers he ended up in English captivity), allowed the British to mercilessly plunder the country. And then the people of France - townspeople and peasants themselves rose to their defense. The self-defense of residents of villages and cities, the first partisan detachments became the beginning of a future broad liberation movement. This forced the English king to conclude a difficult peace for France in Bretigny. She lost huge possessions in the southwest, but remained an independent kingdom (Edward III renounced his claims to the French crown).
The war resumed in 1369. Its second stage (1369-1396) was generally successful for France. The French king Charles V and the talented military leader Bertrand Du Guesclin used the support of the masses to help the partially reorganized French army drive the British out of the southwest. Several large and strategically important ports on the French coast still remained under their rule - Bordeaux, Bayonne, Brest, Cherbourg, Calais. The truce of 1396 was concluded due to the extreme depletion of the forces of both sides. It didn't solve any controversial issue, which made the continuation of the war inevitable.

The third stage of the Hundred Years' War (1415-1420) is the shortest and most dramatic for France. After a new landing of the English army in the north of France and the terrible defeat of the French at Agincourt (1415), the independent existence of the French kingdom was under threat. The English king Henry V, in five years of much more active military action than before, subjugated approximately half of France and achieved the conclusion of the Treaty of Troyes (1420), according to which the unification of the English and French crowns was to take place under his rule. And again the masses of France intervened even more decisively than before in the fate of the war. This determined her character in the final fourth stage.

SOURCE – 4 – chrono.info

The Hundred Years' War 1337-1453, a war between England and France. Basic reasons for the war: France’s desire to oust England from the southwest of the country (Guienne province) and eliminate this last stronghold of English power in France. ter., and England - to gain a foothold in Guienne and return previously lost Normandy, Maine, Anjou and other French. areas. Anglo-French contradictions were complicated by rivalry over Flanders, which was formally under French rule. king, but factually independent and bound by trade, ties with England (English, wool was the basis of cloth making in Flanders). The reason for the war was the claims of the English, King Edward III, to the French throne. The Germans, feudal lords and Flanders took the side of England. France enlisted the support of Scotland and Rome. dads. The English army was mainly mercenary, under the command of the king. It was based on infantry (archers) and hired knightly units. Basis of French The army was a feud, a knightly militia (see Knightly Army).

The first period of S. century. (1337-1360) was characterized by the struggle of the parties for Flanders and Guienne. In the naval battle of Sluis in 1340, the British defeated the French. The fleet suffered a heavy defeat and gained supremacy at sea. In Aug. 1346 at the Battle of Crecy they achieved superiority on land, and during the 11-month period. Pestilence took hold of sieges. fortress and port of Calais (1347). After an almost 10-year truce (1347-55), the English army launched a successful offensive to capture the southwest of France (Guienne and Gascony). At the Battle of Poitiers (1356) the French. the army was again defeated. The exorbitant taxes and levies imposed by the British and the devastation that reigned in the country became the cause of the French uprisings. people - the Parisian uprising led by Etienne Marcel 1357-58 and Jacquerie (1358). This forced France to sign a peace treaty in Bretigny (1360) on extremely difficult conditions - the transfer to England of lands south of the Loire to the Pyrenees.

Second period of S. century. (136 9-8 0). In an effort to eliminate the conquests of England, King Charles V of France (reigned 1364-80) reorganized the army and streamlined tax system. Franz. The knightly militia was partially replaced by hired infantry. detachments, field artillery and a new fleet were created. Commander-in-Chief The talented military leader B. Dgogsk-len was appointed army (constable), who received broad powers. Using tactics of surprise attacks and par-tease. war, French army by the end of the 70s. gradually pushed the English troops back to the sea. To the success of the military. actions were facilitated by the use of French. army art-i. Having retained a number of ports on the French coast (Bordeaux, Bayonne, Brest, Cherbourg, Calais) and part of the French. ter. between Bordeaux and Bayonne, England, due to the aggravated situation within the country (see Wat Tyler's uprising of 1381), concluded a truce with France, in which people also began. unrest.

Third period of the Northern century. (141 5-2 4). Taking advantage of the weakening of France caused by the aggravation of internal. contradictions (internecine war of feudal groups - Burgundians and Armagnacs, new uprisings of peasants and townspeople), England resumed the war. In 1415, at the Battle of Agincourt, the British defeated the French, and with the help of the Duke of Burgundy, who entered into an alliance with them, they captured the North. France, which forced France to sign a humiliating peace treaty in Troyes on May 21, 1420. Under the terms of the treaty, France became part of the united Anglo-French. kingdoms. English, King Henry V was declared the ruler of France as a regent, and after the death of the Frenchman. King Charles VI received the rights to the French. throne. However, in 1422, both Charles VI and Henry V suddenly died. As a result of the intensified struggle for the royal throne (1422-23), France found itself in a tragic situation: dismembered and plundered by invaders. The population in the territory occupied by the British was suppressed by taxes and indemnities. Therefore, for France, the war for the royal throne grew into national liberation. war.

Fourth period of the Northern century. (1424-1453). With the introduction of people. masses in war nar-tiz. the struggle (especially in Normandy) acquired a wide scope. Partiz. detachments provided great assistance to the French. armies: they set up ambushes, captured tax collectors and destroyed small detachments of the army, forcing the British to keep garrisons in the rear of the conquered territory. When on Oct. 1428 The English, the army and the Burgundians besieged Orleans - the last strong fortress on the territory not occupied by the French, which would liberate the nation. the struggle intensified even more. It was led by Joan of Arc, under whose leadership the battle for Orleans was won (May 1429). In 1437 French troops took Paris, in 1441 they recaptured Champagne, in 1459 - Maine and Normandy, in 1453 - Guienne. Oct 19 1453 The English army capitulated in Bordeaux. This meant the end of the war.

A hundred-year-old myth - source - Mysteries of history

The Hundred Years' War was one of the main military conflicts of the Middle Ages. We can say that after it Europe changed forever. However, later the history of the Hundred Years' War was hidden under numerous military and political events of the New Age. It so happened that now mostly myths are known about her.

Most often they say that the Hundred Years' War is a military conflict between England and France. The latter, they say, practically lost the war, but then Joan of Arc appeared and saved her homeland from the invaders. From historical truth this opinion goes far enough. The Hundred Years' War began long before Joan's appearance and ended only 22 years after she was burned in Rouen. Diplomacy was much more important than her activities. And the main role in the diplomacy of the Hundred Years' War was played not by the British or the French, but by the Burgundians, whose participation is often forgotten.

Family secrets

In 1420, after convincing victories won by the British on the continent, the Treaty of Troyes was signed, which actually recorded the defeat of France in the war. The English king Henry V officially became the heir to the French throne, and the Dauphin Charles (the same one who would be placed on the throne by Jeanne in the future under the name of Charles VII) lost his rights.

The Burgundians played a significant role in the preparation of this treaty. The Duchy of Burgundy was formally a vassal of the French crown, but in practice it was an independent and very strong state, which was taken into account by all of Europe. Burgundy was much stronger and more authoritative than the same humiliated France.

The Duke of Burgundy, Philip the Good, had personal scores with the Dauphin Charles - he was a participant in the murder of his father, Jean the Fearless. So Philip, with particular pleasure, wrote into the agreement a clause depriving Charles of inheritance rights and insisted on declaring the Dauphin illegitimate.

The friendship and military alliance of England and Burgundy were sealed by the marriage of the Duke of Bedford (English governor in France, brother of Henry V) with Philip's sister, Anne of Burgundy. It would seem that now France had no chance. But everything was ruined by the too power-hungry and tough character of the Duke of Bedford.

Philip wanted to talk to the British on an equal footing. The English Duke regularly reminded him that the Burgundians were “only” allies and should look up to England. Philip, of course, was not happy with this state of affairs. The French, who still did not lose hope for revenge, immediately tried to take advantage of the complications that arose. This is where Joan of Arc appeared.

Philip, meanwhile, honestly tried to prove his usefulness and indispensability for England. The same Jeanne was captured and handed over to the British by his Burgundians. But the relationship continued to deteriorate. In 1432, Anne of Burgundy died, and the last deterrent to the conflict between the former allies disappeared.

Failed Congress

In 1435, the Congress of Arras took place, in which all three parties initially participated: the British, the French and the Burgundians, who actually invited the British to abandon the continuation of the war, leaving Normandy for themselves. The English embassy, ​​led by Cardinal Beaufort, put forward counter conditions - Charles VII was obliged to pay homage to the English king, as well as give up most of the French lands.

Faced with such an uncompromising position, Philip the Good gave up on personal scores with Charles and, waiting for the British to leave Arras, concluded an alliance with France. It was from this moment that the decline of English power over France began. But even now it was far from defeat.

A significant contribution to the fact that in the end England had to abandon almost all continental possessions (with the exception of the city of Calais) was made by the English parliament, which over the following years systematically refused to finance the continuation of the war. Members of Parliament were more interested in trading rather than fighting. It is difficult to say whether England would have coped with the union of France and Burgundy if war had been a priority. But, one way or another, everything came to naught.

The last battle of the Hundred Years' War is considered to be the Battle of Castillon, which took place on July 17, 1453. With almost equal forces, the British suffered a crushing defeat. Soon after, the English garrison in Bordeaux capitulated, and the Hundred Years' War ended. The War of the Scarlet and White Roses awaited the British ahead.

The Hundred Years' War, which began in 1337 and ended in 1453, was a series of conflicts that continued between the two kingdoms of France and England. The main rivals were: the ruling house of Valois and the ruling house of Plantagenet and Lancaster. There were other participants in the Hundred Years' War: Flanders, Scotland, Portugal, Castile and other European countries.

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Reasons for the confrontation

The term itself appeared much later and denoted not only a dynastic conflict between ruling houses kingdoms, but also the war of nations, which by this time began to take shape. There are two main reasons for the Hundred Years' War:

  1. Dynastic conflict.
  2. Territorial claims.

By 1337, the ruling Capetian dynasty in France came to an end (it began with Hugo Capet, Count of Paris, a descendant in the direct male line).

Philip IV the Handsome, the last strong ruler of the Capetian dynasty, had three sons: Louis (X the Grumpy), Philip (V the Long), Charles (IV the Handsome). Not one of them failed to produce a male descendant, and after the death of the youngest of the heirs of Charles IV, the council of peers of the kingdom decided to crown the latter's cousin, Philip de Valois. This decision was protested by the King of England Edward III Plantagenet, who was the grandson of Philip IV, the son of his daughter Isabella of England.

Attention! The Council of Peers of France refused to consider the candidacy of Edward III because of a decision made several years earlier that it was impossible for a woman or through a woman to inherit the crown of France. The decision was made after the Nelskogo case: only daughter Louis X the Grumpy, Jeanne of Navarre could not inherit the French crown due to the fact that her mother Margaret of Burgundy was convicted of treason, which means that the origin of Jeanne herself was called into question. The House of Burgundy disputed this decision, but retreated after Joan was made Queen of Navarre.

Edward III, whose origins were not in doubt, could not agree with the decision of the Council of Peers and even refused to take a full vassal oath to Philip of Valois (he was nominally considered a vassal of the King of France, since he had land holdings in France). The compromise homage made in 1329 satisfied neither Edward III nor Philip VI.

Attention! Philip de Valois was Edward III's cousin, but even close kinship did not keep the monarchs from direct military conflict.

Territorial disagreements between countries arose during the time of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Over time, those lands on the continent that Eleanor of Aquitaine brought to the English crown were lost. Only Guyenne and Gascony remained in the possession of the English kings. The French wanted to liberate these lands from the British, as well as maintain their influence in Flanders. Edward III married the heir to the throne of Flanders, Philippe de Arnaud.

Also, the reasons for the Hundred Years' War lay in the personal hostility of the rulers of states towards each other. This history had long roots and developed progressively, contrary to the fact that ruling houses connected by family ties.

Periodization and course

There is a conditional periodization of military operations, which in fact was a series of local military conflicts occurring with long intervals. Historians identify the following periods:

  • Edwardian,
  • Carolingian,
  • Lancastrian,
  • advance of Charles VII.

Each stage was characterized by a victory or conditional victory of one of the parties.

Essentially, the beginning of the Hundred Years' War dates back to 1333, when English troops attacked France's ally, Scotland, so the question of who started the fighting can be answered unequivocally. The British offensive was successful. Scottish King David II was forced to flee the country to France. Philip IV, who planned to annex Gascony “on the sly,” was forced to switch to the British Isles, where a landing operation took place in order to restore David to the throne. The operation was never carried out, as the British launched a massive offensive in Picardy. Flanders and Gascony provided support. Further events looked like this (the main battles of the Hundred Years' War at the first stage):

  • military operations in the Netherlands - 1336-1340; battles at sea -1340-1341;
  • War of the Breton Succession -1341-1346 (the Battle of Cressy in 1346, devastating for the French, after which Philip VI fled from the British, the capture of the port of Calais by the British in 1347, the defeat of the troops of the Scottish king by the British in 1347);
  • Aquitanian company - 1356-1360 (again, the complete defeat of the French knights in the Battle of Poitiers, the siege of Reims and Paris by the British, which was not completed for a number of reasons).

Attention! During this period, France was weakened not only by the conflict with England, but also by the plague epidemic that broke out in 1346-1351. The French rulers - Philip and his son John (II, the Good) - could not cope with the situation and brought the country to complete economic exhaustion.

Because of the threat possible loss Reims and Paris in 1360, the Dauphin Charles signed a humiliating peace for France with Edward III. It gave England almost one-third of all French territories.

The truce between England and France did not last long, until 1369. After John II died, Charles V began to look for ways to reconquer the lost territories. In 1369, the peace was broken under the pretext that the English did not comply with the peace terms of the 60th year.

It should be noted that the elderly Edward Plantagenet no longer wanted the French crown. His son and heir, the Black Prince, also did not see himself in the role of a French monarch.

Carolingian stage

Charles V was an experienced leader and diplomat. He managed, with the support of the Breton aristocracy, to push Castile and England into conflict. The main events of this period were:

  • liberation from the British of Poitiers (1372);
  • liberation of Bergerac (1377).

Attention! England during this period was experiencing a serious internal political crisis: first, Crown Prince Edward died (1376), then Edward III (1377). Scottish troops also continued to harass the English borders. The situation in Wales and Northern Ireland was difficult.

Realizing the complexity of the situation, both in the country and abroad, the English king requested a truce, which was concluded in 1396.

The time of the truce, which lasted until 1415, was difficult for both France and England. It started in France Civil War, caused by the madness of the reigning king Charles VI. In England the government tried:

  • fight the uprisings that broke out in Ireland and Wales;
  • repel the attacks of the Scots;
  • cope with the rebellion of Earl Percy;
  • put an end to the pirates who were disrupting English trade.

During this period, power also changed in England: the minor Richard II was removed, and as a result, Henry IV ascended the throne.

The third Anglo-French conflict was started by Henry V, the son of Henry IV. He spent a lot successful company, as a result of which the British succeeded:

become winners at Agincourt (1415); capture Caen and Rouen; take Paris (1420); win a victory at Cravan; divide French territory into two parts, which were unable to contact due to the presence of English troops; besiege the city of Orleans in 1428.

Attention! International situation became more complicated and confusing due to the fact that Henry V died in 1422. His infant son was recognized as king of both countries, but most French people supported the Dauphin Charles VII.

It was at this turning point that the legendary Joan of Arc, the future national heroine of France, appears. Largely thanks to her and her faith, the Dauphin Charles decided to take active action. Before its appearance, there was no talk of any active resistance.

The last period was marked by a peace signed between the House of Burgundy and the Armagnacs, who supported the Dauphin Charles. The reason for this unexpected alliance was the offensive of the British.

As a result of the creation of the alliance and the activities of Joan of Arc, the siege of Orleans was lifted (1429), victory was won in the Battle of Pat, Reims was liberated, where in 1430 the Dauphin was declared King Charles VII.

Joan fell into the hands of the British and the Inquisition; her death could not stop the advances of the French, who sought to completely clear the territory of their country from the British. In 1453 the British capitulated, signaling the end of the Hundred Years' War. The French king won, naturally, with the active support of the Ducal House of Burgundy. This is the entire course of the Hundred Years' War in brief.

Causes and beginning of the Hundred Years' War (Russian) History of the Middle Ages.

End of the Hundred Years' War. Unification of France. (Russian) History of the Middle Ages.

Summarizing

France managed to defend its territories. Almost all except the port of Calais, which remained English until 1558. Both countries were economically devastated. The population of France has decreased by more than half. And these are probably the most important consequences of the Hundred Years' War. The conflict had a profound impact on the development of military affairs in Europe. Most importantly, the formation has begun regular armies. England entered a protracted period of civil war, which led to the Tudor dynasty taking the throne of the country.

The history and results of the Hundred Years' War by numerous professional historians and writers. William Shakespeare, Voltaire, Schiller, Prosper Merimee, Alexandre Dumas, and A. Conan Doyle wrote about her. Mark Twain and Maurice Druon.