The Hundred Years War

Battle of Hastings

Oct 14, 1066

Tensions between England and France first arose after the Battle of Hastings when a lord from French ruled Normandy, William the Conqueror, took control of England and killed King Harold II. Since France had control of Normandy and now a lord from Normandy ruled England, they thought that they should rule England as well.

Treaty of Paris

Dec 4, 1259

This treaty which was signed by King Henry III of England and King Louis IX of France allowed England to keep Aquitaine and other territories. However, Henry also had to acknowledge himself as the vassal of King Louis IX. This kept peace between the two nations until the beginning of the Hundred Years War.

England Attacks Scotland

Mar 25, 1333

With Scotland amongst their second civil war, England saw this as a key time to take out one of France's largest allies. The English quickly defeated the Scotts before the French were able to supply aid to them.

The War Begins 1337

May 24, 1337

King Henry III of England declares himself the rightful ruler of France after being provoked by attacks on his territories in France. He claims that he can take the throne through his mother Isabella of France but in France, you can only claim the throne through the paternal blood line, not the maternal.

The Battle of Sluys

Jun 24, 1340

King Edward of England purposely crashes his own ships into those of Spain who is allies with France. This gives england control of the seas and it allows them to land english ships onto the coast of France.

The Battle of Crécy

Aug 26, 1346

Edward III landed in Normandy with about 10,000 men as the French followed them. The English set up camp in the town of Crécy to prepare for the battle. The French then attacked with no plan were extremely easy for the English longbows to hold off. This is considered the first major victory for England.

The Siege of Calais

Sep 4, 1347

After defeating the French at the battle of Crécy the english continued their march to Calais. There, they successfully attacked for a year and turned Calais into a base of operations for the rest of the war.

The Black Plague

Jan 1, 1348

The Black plague arrives in 1348 whipping out an estimated 1/3 of the English population and 1/4 of the French population. Due to the plague the fighting subsided for a short while as Europe tried to recover socially and economically.

The Battle of Poitiers

Sep 19, 1356

Edward the Black Prince, son of King Edward III of England begins his raid on France. Almost defeating the Black Prince, King John II of France pursued Edward to the town or Poitiers. In the end, it was a terrible loss for France. 2,000 of their aristocrats were captured along with the French king Jean II. They were all held by England on an enormous ransom.

Treaty of Brétigny

May 9, 1360

Overwhelmed by all the losses that they had taken, the French create the Treaty of Brétigny which gives England control over the majority of the French coast and the northern parts of France. This treaty also makes Edward give up his claim of being the King of France.

King Jean II of France Dies

Apr 8, 1364

King Jean (King John) II of France died in British captivity on April 8th, 1364. His son, Charles V the Wise, then takes over.

The Battle of Auray

Sep 29, 1364

The English forces led another successful attack on the French town of Auray. Led by John Chandos, they were able to make the French forces protecting the town and the town surrender, capturing the leader of the French army, Bertrand du Guesclin.

The Loss of Two Great Leaders

Period: Jan 1, 1371 to Dec 31, 1371

Due to illness the Black Prince can no longer fight and lead men into battle. In this same year, his father, King Edward III is relieved of his duties due to old age. He is still the king but no longer leading the army.

Battle of La Rochelle

Jun 22, 1372

After an extremely fierce naval battle, the French regain control over the English channel. The English can no longer send reinforcements and supplies to Calais.

Richard II of England is Crowned

Jun 21, 1377

After the death of King Edward III, his grandson, Richard II took the throne because Edward’s son, the Black Prince, had died the year before.

The Battle of Agincourt (2/2)

Oct 25, 1415

Anticipating their win over the English, the French proposed that they would cut off the middle fingers of all captured English longbow men so they could no longer shoot. Throughout this battle and other battles, the English would hold up their middle fingers, taunting the French that they could still shoot, and from this act is where the notorious middle finger comes from.

The Battle of Agincourt (1/2)

Oct 25, 1415

As Henry V led his men to the town of Agincourt his troops were intercepted by the French army. Outnumbered 20,000 to 6,000 Henry V used a narrow front channel to give his men a chance. After 3 waves of French attacks, they finally retreated and the English were victorious once again.

The Treaty of Troyes

May 21, 1420

Henry V of England signs the treaty with Charles VI of France. This allows Henry V to marry Charles daughter making Henry’s children the heir to the French throne.

The Battle of Verneuil

Aug 17, 1424

In one more attempt to remove the english from Normandy, the French allied with the Scottish army and proceeded to attack the English in the town of Verneuil. This attack proved futile for the French and their allies as the English longbow men once again cut down the allied men. This battle removed Scotland as a major ally.

The Siege of Orleans

Oct 23, 1428

On October 23, 1428 Thomas de Montacute led 5,000 British troops to Orleans, the most fortified French base. After months of attacks, the English had still not broken into the base.

The Turning Point in the War

May 8, 1429

After months of sieges, a pheasant girl, Joan of Arc, had a vision from God that she was given divine direction to help lead the French to victory over the English. As part of a relief force for the French, Joan leads the French in an attack against the English providing the French with new faith and boosted morals. This battle is considered to be the turning point for the French after over 80 years of fighting because this is the first time the French have the military advantage.

The Capture of Jeanne d’Arc

May 23, 1430

English sympathizers in northern France capture Joan of Arc and send her to english courts.

The Death of Jeanne d'Arc

May 30, 1431

After a British trial, Jeanne who is only 16 years old, is convicted of heresy and burnt as a witch.

Henry VI is Crowned the King of France

Dec 26, 1431

Under the Treaty of Troyes, Henry is the heir to the thrown in France and in 1431 he is crowned King of France in Paris. Under his incompetent rule, the French army begins to regain their territory from England.

Battle of Formigny

Apr 15, 1450

After more and more victories for the French, Charles VII drives the english to the town of Formigny. There the French artillery blasts though the English army causing them to loose 4,000 out of 5,000 men. This battle marks the end of fighting in northern France.

The End of the War

Jul 17, 1453

The Battle of Castillon is the final battle of the Hundred Years War. Wanting to hold onto some land in France, Henry VI sends troops to southern France to gain some territory. After repelling an English attack, the French capture the territory of Bordeaux. The remaining English are sent home. This victory marks the end of the Hundreds year war.