Introduction
The Hundred Years War was a series of conflicts that took place between England and France from 1337 to 1453. It was one of the longest and most destructive wars in European history and has had a lasting impact on both countries. The war was fought mainly over the control of the French throne, and the English were ultimately unsuccessful in their attempts to gain control.
Causes
The main cause of the Hundred Years War was the struggle for the French throne. England had a claim to the French throne through Edward III, who was the grandson of Philip IV of France. Philip IV had disinherited Edward's father, Edward II, and named his son, Charles IV, as his successor. Edward III was not content to accept this, and so he declared war on France in 1337.
Other causes of the war included the English claim to French lands, the French alliance with Scotland, and the English alliance with the Flemish. Additionally, the English were also motivated by a desire for revenge against the French for their victory in the Battle of Crécy in 1346.
Consequences
The Hundred Years War had long-lasting consequences for both England and France. In England, the war caused a dramatic shift in power from the barons to the monarchy. This shift was due to the increased need for taxation and the increased power of the monarchy in order to raise the funds for the war.
In France, the war caused a decline in the power of the monarchy and an increase in the power of the nobility. The war also had a devastating effect on the French economy, which was already weakened by the Black Death.
Conclusion
The Hundred Years War was a long and destructive conflict that had a lasting impact on both England and France. The war was fought mainly over the control of the French throne, and the English were ultimately unsuccessful in their attempts to gain control. The war had a number of causes, including the English claim to the French throne, the French alliance with Scotland, and the English alliance with the Flemish. The war had long-lasting consequences for both countries, including a shift in power from the barons to the monarchy in England and a decline in the power of the monarchy and an increase in the power of the nobility in France.