"Despite the name, the Hundred Years' War between England and France actually lasted 116 years (1337-1453). It was an intermittent conflict which involved a number of disputes; most notably the legitimate successor to the French Crown. Overall, five generations of kings from Britain and France fought over the right to rule what was the most powerful kingdom in Western Europe at the time.
The background to the war goes back to William the Conqueror's victory at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. He united England with Normandy and ruled both kingdoms. By the reign of Henry II, England owned a huge tract of land within France, and subsequent kings found it almost impossible to control. Edward III became king in 1327, and by that stage, England only controlled Ponthieu and Gascony in France.
Charles IV of France died in 1328, and he had no male heirs. His sister, Isabella, was Edward III's mother, so the English king believed he had the right also to rule France. However, Charles' cousin became King Philip VI of France instead. Edward was furious but appeared to accept the decision. However, when Philip took Guyenne in 1337, Edward launched his bid to become the new French king. Guyenne was a fief of the French crown but technically belonged to the English. Edward raised an army and the Hundred Years' War began. In this article, I look at five key battles in the conflict…"
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