The Hundred Years´ War

 

England's longest war was against France. It lasted, with a few breaks, from 1336 to 1453, and was called the 'Hundred Years' War'. It began when King Edward III said that he had a right to be king of France.

 

Edward and his son, the Black Prince, won some famous victories. Edward beat the French at Crécy in 1346, and took the town of Calais the next year. In 1356, the Black Prince beat the French king at Poitiers. But when the Black Prince and Edward died, the French began to win battles. By 1400, the English had only a few towns around the French coast.

 

Henry V began the war again in 1415. He took the town of Harfleur in Normandy, then beat a large French army at Agincourt. Henry was a hero to his men and all the people of England.

 

King Charles VI of France made peace in 1420. He said that Henry would become king of France when he, Charles VI, died. Henry married Charles's daughter, and a son was born in 1421. But the prince was only nine months old when Henry V died. Charles VI died six weeks later. The English said that the baby (Henry VI) was now king of England and France.

 

Walter Robson: Medieval Britain; Oxford University Press, 1991/2000, page 62