Hundred Years War Timeline

Aquitaine/Guyenne

Intro

Although the war began on May 24th, 1337, tensions began rising between England and France for the sovereignty of France since Charles IV died in 1328 with no direct heirs. What started the call for war was when Edward established his claim over France after forfeiting Aquitaine. Edward wanted to own it independently, despite the territory being a fief of France, which was ruled by King Philip IV.

Battle of Sluys

Battle of Crecy

1346

Battle of Crecy

Taking place in Normandy, King Edward III’s English army defeated a French force ruled by King Philip IV. Edward’s army of 14,000 men infiltrated France from the North. Philip’s men were unsuccessful in their attack due to being overwhelmed by Edward’s army who used deadly longbows. This battle is important to note because of England's significant rise as a world power, and the decline of the mounted knight in Europe’s warfare. After winning the battle of Crecy, Edward carried onto Calais.

Siege of Calais

1346

Siege of Calais

This year long war ended with an English victory and a truce. Edward III wanted this city because of its accessibility to English ships once captured. He cut off supplies to Calais, starving 8,000 civilians, in turn making them surrender. With an alarming rise of the Back Death, they called off the war for eight years.

Battle of Poitiers

1356

Battle of Poitiers

After the end of a treaty, Edward III raids Northern France but moves south as the French army challenges him. They intercept at Poitiers and Edward is in a battle he did not want. Though the French have 4 divisions of 10,000, they were met by open fire then hand-on-hand fighting through the hedges on the slope. In the last battle, King John II of France came forward to fight and was ultimately taken into captivity to be held hostage by “The Black Prince”

The Jacquerie

1358

The Jacquerie

This event was a peasant uprising, which took place during an important part of the war. After an onslaught of French losses the credibility of nobles decreased, peasants were angry that they were also being demanded larger payments to improve castles. As a result they destroyed many castles and killed those that lived in them.

Treaty of Bretigny

1360

Treaty of Bretigny

The treaty of Bretigny ended the first phase of the hundred years war, this was signed after Edward the Black Prince had captured John II of France at Poitiers. The treaty put France at a significant disadvantage to the English, as England was at the height of their power and France had to give up many territories. This treaty did not last long, for after 9 years of not being able to establish a peace fighting resumed.

Battle of Agincourt

1415

Battle of Agincourt

This famous victory was led by Henry V who then accepted his position as the king of France. This battle mirrored that of Cercy and Poitiers, where the English were vastly outnumbered yet succeeded. An outcome of the win was immense celebration and pride for the country of England. A sense of nationalism was established, and the French’s military had been drastically weakened and divided, making triumphs for the English easier.

Battle of Rouen

1418

Battle of Rouen

The battle was an immense win for England. Henry V besieged the city containing more than 70,000 citizens. The French surrendered after being starved or forced to eat dogs, cats, or horses. This was an attempt to conquer Normandy and brought Henry V closer to doing so.

Treaty of Troyes

1420

Treaty of Troyes

This treaty was made to document Henry marrying Catherine, who is Charles VI’s daughter. Thus, Henry would be heir to the throne of France. The war continued because Charles VI’s son was not a party of the treaty. Henry tried capturing Armagnac fortresses after it was signed.

Siege of Orleans 1429

Siege of Orleans

Joan of Arc brought reinforcement and supplies and aided the French in their resistance as well as convincing Charles VII to send another army to the city. English forts were destroyed as France took back Orleans which had been occupied by English troops for weeks. Suffolk abandoned the siege after his main forts had been stormed and destroyed.

Joan of Arc

(1412-1431)

Joan of Arc

Joan, a French teenage peasant, directed many French troops, created military strategies, and would suggest solutions for the English. She became a hero in French history after being burned at the stake in 1430 by conviction of being a witch. During her role in the Lancastrian part of the Hundred Years War, she led the victory of getting English forces out of Orleans and hindered them from conquering France

Treaty of Arras

This treaty was a great accomplishment for the French during the last stages of war. The feud between King Charles VII of France and Duke Philip III of Burgundy came to an end with Charles taking the throne in France and Philip’s father's murderers being punished. The divide between the Burgundians and Armagnacs faded and English stakes of land in France declined steadily.

Treaty of Arras

Battle of Formingy

1450

Battle of Formingy

Perhaps the most decisive event of France taking back Normandy, this occurred in the last phases of the war. The English held off for a few hours until backup came from Clermont and their defense was weakened, Kryiel’s troops were also caught at Formingy. Caen fell, and soon after Normandy was reclaimed by the French.

Battle of Castillon 1453

Castillon

This battle concluded the Hundred Years War between England and France. What led to the English defeat was Shrewsbury attacking the French camp too early, thinking it was abandoned. The French used a cannon which caused many English deaths despite their disciplined army. The troops surrendered after Shrewsbury was killed, leaving Bordeaux, Guyenne, and Gascony to France which ended the war.