The Hundred Years' War (1337–1453)

The Hundred Years' War (1337–1453) was a prolonged conflict between England and France, rooted in territorial disputes and competing claims to the French throne. Sparked by English monarchs' attempts to assert their rights over French lands, the war saw significant battles, including Crécy, Poitiers, and Agincourt, where England gained early victories largely due to their use of the longbow. However, France, inspired by figures like Joan of Arc, eventually rallied and reclaimed much of its territory, ultimately driving the English out of France and marking the end of England’s territorial ambitions there. The war profoundly influenced both nations' identities and medieval warfare tactics.