The Hundred Years‘ War: Key Figures and Their Impact - History Tools (2024)

Introduction

The Hundred Years‘ War (1337-1453) was a series of conflicts between the kingdoms of England and France that lasted for over a century. The war had far-reaching consequences for both nations, shaping their political, economic, and social landscapes for generations to come. This article examines the key figures who played pivotal roles in the Hundred Years‘ War, their impact on the course of the conflict, and the lasting legacy they left behind.

The English Perspective

Edward III of England (1312-1377)

King Edward III of England was the primary instigator of the Hundred Years‘ War. He claimed the French throne through his mother, Isabella of France, and sought to assert his authority over the continent. Edward was a skilled military leader and strategist, as evidenced by his victories at the Battle of Crécy (1346) and the Battle of Poitiers (1356).

At Crécy, Edward‘s army of approximately 12,000 men, including a large contingent of longbowmen, faced a French force of around 30,000. The English longbowmen proved to be a decisive factor, decimating the French cavalry and causing an estimated 10,000-15,000 French casualties, while English losses were minimal (Sumption, 1990).

Edward‘s leadership and the strategic use of longbowmen set the stage for English dominance in the early phases of the war.

Edward, the Black Prince (1330-1376)

Edward of Woodstock, known as the Black Prince, was the eldest son of Edward III and a renowned military commander. He played a crucial role in the English victories at Crécy and Poitiers, where his tactical acumen and bravery were on full display.

At the Battle of Poitiers (1356), the Black Prince led an English force of approximately 6,000 men against a French army of around 11,000. Despite being outnumbered, the English once again relied on the devastating power of the longbow to secure a decisive victory. The French suffered heavy casualties, with estimates ranging from 2,500 to 6,000 men killed or captured, including King John II of France (Rogers, 2000).

The Black Prince‘s leadership and the success of the English army at Poitiers further solidified England‘s position in the war and dealt a severe blow to French morale.

Henry V of England (1386-1422)

King Henry V of England revived English fortunes in the later stages of the Hundred Years‘ War. His most notable achievement was the victory at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, where English longbowmen once again proved their worth against a numerically superior French force.

At Agincourt, Henry‘s army of around 6,000 men, predominantly longbowmen, faced a French force of approximately 12,000-15,000. The battle was fought on a narrow strip of land between two woods, which limited the French army‘s ability to maneuver effectively. The English longbowmen rained down arrows on the densely packed French lines, causing chaos and heavy casualties. By the end of the battle, the French had suffered losses estimated at 6,000-8,000 men, while English casualties were relatively light (Curry, 2005).

Henry‘s victory at Agincourt and his subsequent military campaigns led to the Treaty of Troyes in 1420, which recognized him as the heir to the French throne and marked the high point of English success in the war.

The French Perspective

Philip VI of France (1293-1350)

Philip VI, the first French king from the House of Valois, faced the initial English onslaught led by Edward III. Despite his efforts to defend France, Philip suffered devastating defeats at Crécy and Poitiers, which not only resulted in significant loss of life but also weakened the French monarchy‘s authority.

The Battle of Crécy, in particular, was a turning point in the war. The French army, which outnumbered the English by a significant margin, suffered heavy casualties due to the effectiveness of the English longbowmen. The French nobility, including many of Philip‘s close advisors and family members, were among the casualties (Sumption, 1990).

Philip‘s reign was marked by military setbacks and political instability, setting the stage for a prolonged and costly conflict.

Charles V of France (1338-1380)

Charles V, known as the Wise, ascended to the French throne during a tumultuous period. He implemented a defensive strategy, avoiding direct confrontation with the English and focusing on gradual reconquest. This approach, known as the "Fabian strategy," aimed to wear down the English through a war of attrition while minimizing French casualties.

Under Charles V‘s leadership, the French made significant territorial gains, recapturing much of the land lost to the English in the early stages of the war. The king‘s use of diplomacy, alliances, and strategic military maneuvers, such as targeting English supply lines, proved effective in turning the tide of the conflict (Autrand, 1994).

Although Charles V‘s defensive strategy reduced the number of large-scale battles and French casualties, the war‘s toll on the population remained significant, with ongoing raids, sieges, and the destruction of agricultural land.

Joan of Arc (1412-1431)

Joan of Arc, a young French peasant girl, emerged as an unlikely hero during the war‘s darkest hour for France. Claiming divine guidance, she led French forces to several victories, most notably the Siege of Orléans in 1429.

At Orléans, Joan‘s presence and leadership inspired the French troops, who had been demoralized by years of defeats. The French forces, under Joan‘s guidance, successfully broke the English siege and secured a crucial victory. This turning point boosted French morale and paved the way for further military successes (DeVries, 1999).

Joan‘s capture and execution by the English in 1431 did not diminish her impact on the war. Instead, her martyrdom served to fuel French resistance and nationalism, inspiring future generations to continue the fight against English occupation.

Charles VII of France (1403-1461)

Charles VII, bolstered by Joan of Arc‘s successes and the growing sense of French nationalism, gradually pushed back against English occupation. Under his leadership, France recovered most of its lost territories, and the tide of the war turned decisively in France‘s favor.

Charles VII implemented important military reforms, such as the creation of a standing army and the increased use of artillery. These changes helped to modernize the French military and contributed to their success in the later stages of the war (Contamine, 1984).

However, the prolonged conflict continued to claim lives on both sides, with estimates of the total casualties ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 million (Neillands, 2001). The war‘s impact on the population was immense, with widespread destruction, famine, and disease taking a heavy toll.

Conclusion

The key figures of the Hundred Years‘ War, from kings and military commanders to unlikely heroes like Joan of Arc, played crucial roles in shaping the course and outcome of the conflict. Their decisions, strategies, and leadership had far-reaching consequences for both England and France, influencing the political, economic, and social landscapes of both nations for centuries to come.

The war‘s staggering death toll, estimated at 1.5 to 3.5 million, underscores the immense human cost of the conflict. The Hundred Years‘ War was a turning point in European history, marking the rise of nationalism, the centralization of power in the monarchies, and the evolution of military tactics and technology.

The legacy of the key figures and their actions continues to resonate in the annals of history, providing valuable lessons on the consequences of prolonged warfare and the importance of leadership, strategy, and resilience in the face of adversity.

References

• Autrand, F. (1994). Charles V: Le Sage. Paris: Fayard.
• Contamine, P. (1984). War in the Middle Ages. Oxford: Basil Blackwell.
• Curry, A. (2005). Agincourt: A New History. Stroud: Tempus.
• DeVries, K. (1999). Joan of Arc: A Military Leader. Stroud: Sutton Publishing.
• Neillands, R. (2001). The Hundred Years War. London: Routledge.
• Rogers, C. J. (2000). War Cruel and Sharp: English Strategy under Edward III, 1327-1360. Woodbridge: Boydell Press.
• Sumption, J. (1990). The Hundred Years War, Volume I: Trial by Battle. London: Faber and Faber.