Complete guide to the main battles of the Hundred Years’ War

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The Hundred Years’ War, which pitted the Capetian dynasty against the House of Plantagenet from 1337 to 1453, represents a turning point in the military and political history of medieval Europe. More than just a series of ambushes or sieges, this conflict shaped the relationship between kingdoms, forged national myths, and revealed the impact of infantry against cavalry. In this detailed guide, we dissect the most significant battles, their tactical unfolding, as well as their immediate and lasting repercussions.

Historical Context

Origins of a succession conflict

In 1328, the death of Charles IV without a male heir triggers a legitimacy crisis reserved for male lineages following Salic law. Edward III, grandson of Philip IV through his mother, then claims the French crown, provoking the indignation of the French nobility who prefer to support Philip VI of Valois. This initial confrontation, of dynastic nature, quickly turns into open war, mixing legitimacy disputes and commercial rivalries, notably for control of the Flemish trading posts.

Main actors and shifting alliances

Besides England and France, various kingdoms and lordships play both sides: the County of Flanders, the Duchy of Burgundy, Scotland. Under the shadow of these alliances, the war sometimes takes on the appearance of guerrilla warfare, punctuated by devastating chevauchées and prolonged sieges. The kings themselves rarely manage to mobilize more than 10,000 fighters on the continent, far from the legends of vast crowds.

Decisive Battles

Battle of Crécy (August 26, 1346)

At the gates of the Opal Coast, near Crécy-en-Ponthieu, Edward III faces a French army vastly superior in numbers. Thanks to the massive use of the Welsh longbow, his troops repel several charges of knights. The French, launched into attack on unfavorable positions, suffer heavy losses.

The tactical importance lies in the demonstration of the power of infantry and archers – a thunderclap for the knightly aristocracy. This battle opens the conflict to a new military era, where discipline and the use of ranged weapons outclass the mere bravery of knights.

Battle of Poitiers (September 19, 1356)

Edward, the Black Prince, deals a crushing defeat to John II of France in the plain of Poitiers. Once again, the longbow and a solid square defense strengthen the English position. The capture of King John II and a large part of the French nobility plunges the kingdom into a deep political crisis.

Beyond the military feat, Poitiers crystallizes the idea that hierarchy is no longer a guarantee of victory. Behind the scenes, negotiations lead to the Treaty of Brétigny (1360), cutting French sovereignty of vast territories.

Siege of Orléans (October 12, 1428 – May 8, 1429)

After decades of relative lull, the Hundred Years’ War resumes with vigor. The blockade of Orléans aims to open a route to the heart of the kingdom for the English. The situation seems desperate for the French until the appearance of Joan of Arc, a young peasant claiming to be sent by God.

Her first victories, such as the lifting of the siege, restore hope to the French. The tenacity of the garrison and the fervor inspired by Joan of Arc reverse the psychological balance of power, opening the way to Reims and the coronation of Charles VII.

Battle of Castillon (July 17, 1453)

The final act of the war, Castillon pits a French liberating army, modernized in its artillery, against exhausted English troops. The intensive use of cannons disrupts the tactical landscape: bombards promise the end of knightly supremacy.

The English defeat seals the French reconquest, except for the port city of Calais. It is the conclusion of a mythical conflict, leaving behind a centralized and strengthened kingdom, and marking the end of medieval chivalry in favor of a modern army concept.

Summary Table of Major Battles

Political and Territorial Consequences

At the end of the war, France sees its central authority strengthened around the monarchy, which gradually recovers its domains. The Treaty of Picquigny (1475) puts an end to English ambitions, and only Calais remains – temporarily – under English control until 1558. The war also contributed to a nascent national feeling among the French, thanks to the stories of Joan of Arc and the memory of heroic sieges.

For England, this defeat marks the halt of its continental claims. The Plantagenets weaken, paving the way for the Wars of the Roses and an internal dynastic upheaval.

Lessons and Legacies

Military innovation: the superiority of infantry and artillery over heavy cavalry prepared the ground for modern wars. The tactics developed during these confrontations later spread throughout Europe.

“The Hundred Years’ War not only redrew borders, it reinvented the art of war and the notion of nation” – H. Dupont, medieval historian.

Cultural impact: poets, chroniclers, and novelists of the late Middle Ages immortalized these episodes. Even today, the figure of Joan of Arc embodies resistance and faith in a revolutionary ideal for the time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long did the Hundred Years’ War actually last?

Officially from 1337 to 1453, that is 116 years, but the conflict experienced periods of truce, sporadic clashes, and negotiations. Three major phases can be distinguished: the first (1337-1360), the second (1369-1389), and the third (1415-1453).

Why is the Battle of Crécy considered a tactical turning point?

Crécy marks the advent of the longbow and infantry against heavy cavalry. The disciplined ranks of Welsh archers, supported by infantry, repel several charges of knights, demonstrating that individual valor alone is no longer enough.

What role did Joan of Arc play in the siege of Orléans?

Joan of Arc, a young peasant from Lorraine, supported by Charles VII, galvanizes the French troops and breaks the siege. Her military action, more symbolic than strictly strategic, restores confidence and restarts the reconquest of the kingdom.

What military innovations changed the war?

The Hundred Years’ War saw the rise of three developments: the massive use of the longbow, the deployment of siege artillery (bombards), and the rise in power of infantry organized in compact formations.

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