The Hundred Years’ War (1337–1453) was a series of intermittent conflicts between England and France, marked by dynastic disputes over the French throne and territorial ambitions. This prolonged war, which spanned 116 years, profoundly shaped the political landscape of both nations and left a lasting legacy in European history.
In this blog post, we will explore some of the key battles of the Hundred Years’ War, focusing on the turning points that defined the course of this epic struggle.
1. Battle of Crécy (1346)
The Battle of Crécy was one of the earliest and most significant English victories in the Hundred Years’ War. Fought on August 26, 1346, near the town of Crécy in northern France, the battle showcased the effectiveness of English tactics, particularly the use of longbowmen, against the heavily armored French cavalry.
Key Factors:
- English Longbow: The English longbowmen, firing from defensive positions, decimated the French knights, whose charges failed to break the English lines.
- Tactical Superiority: Edward III of England used terrain to his advantage, placing his forces on a hill and forcing the French to attack uphill.
The English victory at Crécy set the tone for much of the war, demonstrating that French reliance on mounted knights was vulnerable to new forms of warfare.
2. Battle of Poitiers (1356)
Ten years after Crécy, the Battle of Poitiers delivered another crushing blow to the French. Fought on September 19, 1356, this battle saw the English, led by Edward the Black Prince (son of Edward III), capture King John II of France, a devastating setback for the French monarchy.
Key Factors:
- French Disarray: Poor coordination among French commanders led to a chaotic and disorganized assault.
- English Strategy: Once again, English longbowmen played a crucial role, softening the French before the decisive infantry and cavalry strikes.
The capture of King John II was a major political and financial crisis for France, leading to the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360, where England gained significant territories.
3. Battle of Agincourt (1415)
Perhaps the most famous battle of the Hundred Years’ War, the Battle of Agincourt took place on October 25, 1415, and is immortalized in Shakespeare’s Henry V. Against overwhelming odds, King Henry V of England led his forces to victory against a numerically superior French army.
Key Factors:
- Mud and Terrain: Heavy rain before the battle turned the field into a quagmire, which hampered the mobility of the heavily armored French knights.
- English Longbowmen: As in earlier battles, the English longbowmen played a critical role, thinning out the advancing French with rapid volleys of arrows.
- French Overconfidence: The French nobility’s insistence on charging headlong into the English lines led to catastrophic losses.
Agincourt became a symbol of English valor and tactical brilliance, even though it ultimately failed to secure lasting English dominance in France.
4. Siege of Orléans (1428-1429)
The Siege of Orléans marked a turning point in the Hundred Years’ War in favor of the French, thanks in large part to the intervention of Joan of Arc, a young peasant woman who believed she was divinely chosen to lead France to victory. The siege began in October 1428 and was lifted in May 1429 after a series of decisive French assaults.
Key Factors:
- Joan of Arc’s Leadership: Joan’s presence galvanized French forces, who had been demoralized after years of defeat.
- French Artillery: The French made effective use of artillery to counter the English defenses.
- Political Significance: The victory at Orléans boosted French morale and solidified the legitimacy of Charles VII’s claim to the French throne.
The siege’s outcome was a major victory for the French and marked the beginning of the end for English ambitions in France.
5. Battle of Castillon (1453)
The Battle of Castillon, fought on July 17, 1453, was the final major battle of the Hundred Years’ War and marked the end of English territorial claims in France. The French, led by Jean Bureau, decisively defeated the English army, ending the war in a French victory.
Key Factors:
- French Artillery Superiority: By this point in the war, the French had mastered the use of artillery, and their superior firepower overwhelmed the English forces.
- English Decline: The English were weakened by internal conflicts, including the Wars of the Roses, and were unable to effectively respond to French advances.
The defeat at Castillon led to the fall of Bordeaux and the loss of all English-held territory in France, except for the port of Calais, which remained under English control until 1558.
Conclusion: The End of the Hundred Years’ War
The Hundred Years’ War, marked by key battles such as Crécy, Poitiers, Agincourt, Orléans, and Castillon, was a defining conflict in medieval European history. It saw the rise of new military tactics, the decline of feudalism, and the shift from knightly warfare to infantry and artillery-dominated battles. For France, the war culminated in a revival of national identity and the eventual expulsion of the English, while for England, it marked the end of its territorial ambitions on the continent.
The conflict reshaped both nations and laid the groundwork for the modern state systems in Europe. The legacy of the Hundred Years’ War, particularly the heroism of figures like Joan of Arc and the tactical brilliance of English longbowmen, continues to captivate the imagination of historians and enthusiasts alike.
Cross College 
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