Hundreds Years War

The beginning of the Hundreds Year War

Dec 4, 1337

The Treaty of Paris signed and written between Henry III of England and Louis IX of France asserts the fact that most of the Angevin Empire were lost; however, Henry III keeps the remains of the Duchy of Aquitaine. Furthermore, the war develops because Henry III was trying to gain more power and land in France.

Battle of Sluys

Jun 24, 1340

The first battle of the Hundreds Years War was at the harbor of Sluys. This Naval engagement was an important English victory that virtually destroyed the French fleet of over 200 ships. The loss of the navy made it impossible for France to invade England.

Siege of Calas

1346

After the Victory at Crecy, Edward III marched his army north to besiege the port town of Calas, which he considered a good base for future invasions. Edward but a fortified town outside for the village to maintain the siege. The citizens were starved to submission after over a year.

Battle of Crecy

Aug 24, 1346

The first land battle of the war ended in an English victory. The battle was fought at the village of Crecy in northern France. Victory at Crecy enabled Edward III of England to lay siege to Calais and force the city defenders to surrender one year later.

Black Death

1347

In 1347 the Hundreds Years War was halted by the terrors of the Black Death. The people of Europe did not have the medical knowledge to understand and treat the disease. Estimate claimed it killed a little over a third of the European population.

Battle of Poitiers

Sep 19, 1356

Son of Edward III of England, Edward the Black Prince heavily defeated the superior French army. The French king John II was captured during the battle and taken to England. He was released in 1360 after he promised to pay an enormous ransom.

The Battle of Agincourt

Oct 25, 1415

The battle marked the last of the three brilliant English victories in the Hundred Years’ War against France. The English, commanded by King Henry V decisively defeated the numerically superior French army and conquered much of France. The English, however, failed to achieve a decisive victory in the war which entered into a new phase after the Battle of Agincourt and gradually turned in the French favor.

Treaty of Troyes

Aug 6, 1420

Henry V and Charles VI of France sign the Treaty of Troyes. Henry marries Catherine of Valois, daughter of Charles VI, and their heir would inherit both kingdoms. The Dauphin, Charles VII is declared illegitimate.

Lifting of the Siege of Orleans

1428

The siege of Orleans marked a turning point in the Hundred Years War. Joan of Arc fends of the siege driving the English across the Loire River

Battle of Castillion

Jul 17, 1453

The battle which ended with the French victory marked the end of the Hundred Years’ War between France and England although a peace treaty was never signed. The English who achieved several major victories during the course of the war lost all their possession in France except for Calais which was recaptured by the French only in 1558. The battle, however, also went into history as the first battle in Europe in which cannons played a decisive role.