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Hundred Years' War - Full Story, Every Battle - Animated Medieval History

Kings and Generals・153 minutes read

The Hundred Years' War was a century-long conflict between England and France, divided into three key phases: Edwardian, Carolinian, and Lancastrian, starting from William of Normandy's conquest of England in 1066. The war saw pivotal battles like Crécy and Agincourt, shaped by strategies like the chevauchée and the emergence of iconic figures like the Black Prince and Joan of Arc, leading to lasting impacts on national identities and centralizing power in both countries.

Insights

The Hundred Years' War spanned three distinct phases: Edwardian, Carolinian, and Lancastrian, each marked by key battles and prominent figures.
The conflict originated from William of Normandy's conquest of England, leading to complex vassal relationships with France and territorial disputes.
Gascony, a prosperous English territory in France, played a pivotal role in the tensions due to economic significance and unique cultural ties.
Edward III's military campaigns in France, employing the chevauchée strategy, aimed to weaken French territories and assert his claim to the French crown.
The Battle of Sluys in 1340 showcased English naval strength and strategic prowess, affecting French morale significantly.
The Battle of Crecy and the Siege of Calais resulted in English victories, leading to a truce and withdrawal from the continent due to the Black Death's impact.
The Treaty of Bretigny in 1360, exchanging territories for ransom, marked the end of the Edwardian Phase but led to unrest in France.
Joan of Arc's leadership in battles like Patay and Orléans shifted the tide in favor of the French, culminating in English defeats and French resurgence.
The Treaty of Picquigny in 1475 ended the state of war between England and France, establishing a truce that effectively concluded the conflict.

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Recent questions

What triggered the Hundred Years' War?
Dynastic crisis in France after Charles IV's death.
What was the significance of the Battle of Agincourt?
English victory under Henry V against French forces.
Who played a crucial role in the Siege of Orléans?
Joan of Arc.
What was the outcome of the Battle of Formigny?
French victory over English forces in Normandy.
How did the Hundred Years' War impact national identities?
Fostered stronger central states and national unity.

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Summary

00:00

Century-long conflict: England vs France in phases.

The Hundred Years' War was a century-long conflict between England and France, divided into three phases: Edwardian, Carolinian, and Lancastrian.
The Edwardian phase featured key battles like Crécy and Poitiers, highlighting the rise of English longbowmen and the emergence of Edward III and the Black Prince.
The Carolinian phase expanded the conflict into Spain, immortalizing figures like John of Gaunt and Bertran du Guesclin, with battles at Cocherel and Pontvallain.
The Lancastrian phase began with Henry V's victory at Agincourt, leading to a civil war in France resolved by Joan of Arc, culminating in battles at Patay, Formigny, and Castillon.
The conflict stemmed from William of Normandy's conquest of England in 1066, creating a complex vassal relationship with France that led to territorial disputes.
Gascony, a prosperous English territory in France, played a crucial role in the tensions due to its economic significance and unique cultural ties.
The Treaty of Paris in 1259 solidified English claims on Gascony but set the stage for future conflicts due to the vassalage to French kings.
The Hundred Years' War was triggered by a dynastic crisis in France after Charles IV's death, leading to Edward III's claim to the French throne and subsequent tensions.
Edward III's military campaigns in France, marked by the chevauchée strategy, aimed to weaken French territories and assert his claim to the French crown.
The Battle of Sluys in 1340 saw Edward III's naval victory over the French fleet, showcasing English naval strength and strategic prowess in the early stages of the war.

15:03

French Fleet Defeated in Battle of Saint-Omer

French ships faced English soldiers who captured weakened vessels like the Christopher and Edward.
Genoese galleys fled the battle when the French situation worsened.
The French front line was defeated after four hours, with significant losses.
Flemish boats attacked the French fleet from behind, leading to a disastrous defeat for the Valois fleet.
The French lost 190 vessels, with only 23 escaping, resulting in a loss of 16,000 to 18,000 men.
The English suffered minimal ship losses but substantial casualties.
Edward's victory severely impacted French morale.
Edward planned a two-pronged attack on northern France with Flemish and Imperial allies.
Robert d’Artois led an army to Saint-Omer, clashing with the Duke of Burgundy and Count of Armagnac.
The Battle of Saint-Omer saw the French defeated, with the English and allies emerging victorious.

29:18

"Edward III's English Longbowmen Triumph at Crecy"

Edward I established a national reserve of archers in English villages for battle, with 7,000 lethal archers armed with longbows and bodkin arrows.
The English force was divided into three groups, with infantry in the center and longbowmen on the flanks, protected by pits, trenches, and stakes.
Edward III's son, the Black Prince, led one group, while the king's division remained as a strategic reserve.
The French army, led by Philip, consisted of 30,000 troops, including mounted knights, infantry, and crossbowmen.
The French army, urged by chivalric pride and lack of control, attacked the English despite being advised to encamp for the night.
The English longbowmen decimated the French crossbowmen and knights, causing chaos and panic among the French forces.
The French made fifteen unsuccessful charges, with the blind King of Bohemia leading a failed attack that resulted in heavy losses.
The English, led by Edward III, repulsed the French attacks, with the Black Prince almost killed but ultimately successful in defending his flank.
The French, including Philip VI himself, suffered significant losses, with over 10,000 casualties compared to less than a hundred for the English.
Following the Battle of Crecy and the Siege of Calais, the English under Edward III emerged victorious, leading to a truce and withdrawal from the continent due to the Black Death's devastating impact on Europe.

44:26

Conflict and Betrayal: The Battle of Poitiers

Charles of Blois made a deal with King Edward for recognition as Duke of Brittany in exchange for ransom and neutrality in the war.
English king offered to abandon claim to French throne for Aquitaine, Normandy, and Flanders, leading to renewed conflict.
Charles II of Navarre, with English support, killed the Franco-Castilian Constable of France, escalating tensions.
The Black Prince led a devastating chevauchée through Armagnac territory, destroying settlements and weakening French forces.
The Black Prince's army, reinforced by Gascon troops, ravaged southern France before withdrawing towards Gascony.
French and Navarrese kings attempted peace in 1355, but Charles of Navarre remained unsatisfied, leading to further conflict.
The Black Prince launched a second chevauchée into French lands, causing destruction but facing increased resistance.
French king Jean II besieged Breteuil, leading to a critical juncture with the Black Prince's advancing forces.
The Battle of Poitiers in 1356 saw the Black Prince's smaller army defeat the larger French force, capturing key French leaders.
French forces suffered heavy losses in the battle, with the Dauphin's withdrawal leading to a disastrous decision by King Jean II.

59:26

Battle of Poitiers: English Victory, French Defeat

The Black Prince's archers faced a shortage of arrows during a battle with the French, leading to a shift to close combat with swords, knives, and axes.
Captal de Buch orchestrated a strategic move with 200 reserve cavalry, encircling the French rear and charging at their ranks.
The Black Prince, observing this, mounted dismounted knights led by Sir James Audley to attack the other French flank, causing chaos and scattering Jean's army.
The King of France was surrounded and captured by enemy soldiers, refusing to surrender to common soldiers but eventually taken prisoner by the Earl of Warwick.
The English suffered minimal losses, around a hundred or two, while the French faced significant casualties, with at least 2,500 dead and 3,000 taken prisoner.
The Treaty of Bretigny in 1360 marked the end of the Edwardian Phase, leading to civil unrest in France and the rise of renegade groups known as routiers.
Extortionate ransom payments for highborn prisoners taken at Poitiers prompted a tax hike, sparking the Jacquerie peasant revolt in the Oise Valley.
The Treaty of Bretigny involved Aquitaine, Ponthieu, and Calais ceded to the Plantagenets in exchange for the French king's release and a ransom.
Bertrand du Guesclin's success at the Battle of Cocherel in 1364 constrained the power of Charles the Bad and secured a victory for the French crown.
The Breton Civil War ended in 1365 with the Treaty of Guérande, solidifying John of Monfort's rule and diminishing English influence in Brittany.

01:13:18

The Castilian Throne: Battles and Alliances

In 1362, Pedro and the Black Prince formed a formal alliance.
A plan was devised in 1364 by the French and Aragonese to move routiers out of southern France and create issues for the pro-English Castillian kingdom.
An expedition led by Henry de Trastamara and commanded by Bertrand de Guesclin was supported by the Pope under the guise of a crusade against Granada.
In Autumn 1365, a large group of men, including routiers and French noblemen, entered Aragon and proceeded to destroy the countryside.
By March 1366, Henry was proclaimed king of Castile after a series of successful military actions.
Pedro fled to Seville and then Galicia as Henry advanced through Castile, using captured royal treasury to pay off his troops.
An agreement was reached in August 1366 between Pedro, Prince Edward, and Charles of Navarra to organize an army to retake the Castilian throne.
In January 1367, an army of around 10,000 to 8,000 men entered Castile, leading to a decisive battle at Nájera.
The Battle of Nájera saw the defeat of Henry's forces by the English, leading to Pedro's swift reoccupation of Castile.
Henry, supported by the French court, returned to Castile in September 1367, leading to further conflicts and his eventual victory over Pedro in 1369.

01:26:49

French Victories and English Losses in France

Sir Fitzwalter led an English contingent to the fortified Abbey of Vaas in the south.
Sancerre’s army, joined by Guescelin’s vanguard, attacked Fitzwalter beneath the abbey walls.
The French defeated the English after a day of fighting, massacring the abbey defenders.
Knolles and the fourth English contingent safely entered Brittanny with loot.
French cavalry harassed the English contingent returning to England in the spring.
The French pursued survivors of the Battles of Pontvallain and Vaas into English-held Aquitaine.
The victory at Pontvallain boosted French morale after defeating the English.
French forces under Charles V’s brother captured Agenais, Limousin, and Buzac.
The Black Prince reacted violently when the bishop of Limoges betrayed the town to the French.
The English faced disastrous finances and the loss of key commanders in France.

01:40:15

Peasant Rebellions and Poll Taxes in 1381

In 1377 and 1379, two "poll taxes" were imposed on the English population, leading to rebellions due to high taxes and war exhaustion.
Peasant rebellions, led by Wat Tyler and John Ball, broke out in Essex and Kent in 1381 against the third poll tax.
Rebels stormed London on June 11, 1381, destroying documents and targeting collaborators of the King's Ministers.
King Richard II barricaded himself in the Tower of London as rebels demanded the abolishment of serfdom and noble privileges.
Richard II nominally accepted rebel demands at Mile End on June 14, 1381, hoping to disperse the peasant numbers.
Despite attempts at appeasement, the rebels stormed the Tower, executing officials and foreigners.
A plan to kill rebel leaders was prepared, leading to a confrontation at Smithfield where Wat Tyler was wounded and killed.
The Battle of Roosebeke in 1382 saw the French army, led by Oliver de Clisson, defeat Flemish rebels, ending the revolt.
The defeat at Roosebeke led to the surrender of towns and punishment of rebels, restoring Count Louis to power under French influence.
In 1385, hostilities resumed with a failed French invasion from Scotland and English raids on French trade fleets, leading to peace talks.

01:53:46

Power Struggles and War: Henry V's Reign

Henry of Monmouth was noted as a diligent administrator and capable leader, set to inherit the English throne.
Charles VI of France suffered a psychotic episode, leading to his descent into madness, creating a power vacuum in France.
Louis I - Duke of Orleans took control in France, continuing the war with England and increasing his own wealth and power.
John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy, succeeded Philip the Bold, becoming a dominant force in France despite his unprepossessing appearance.
A bitter struggle for power erupted between John the Fearless and the Duke of Orleans, leading to violent clashes and the assassination of the Duke of Orleans.
A civil war between the 'Armagnac' and 'Burgundian' factions ensued, lasting for decades.
Henry V of England succeeded his father, transforming from an unruly prince to a serious and religious monarch.
Henry V sought to regain English territories in France, leading to the resumption of war.
Henry V raised a large English army, embarking on an invasion of France in 1415.
The Siege of Harfleur and the Battle of Agincourt were pivotal events in Henry V's campaign in France, marked by fierce resistance and strategic maneuvers.

02:08:31

"Agincourt: English Victory, French Defeat, Treaty"

The French army, under the command of Constable Charles d’Albret and Marshal Boucicaut, consisted of around 20,000 troops, deployed in three lines of battle with dismounted knights and men-at-arms in the first two lines and archers in the rear.
Henry V’s English army, depleted to about 8,500 soldiers, was primarily composed of 7,000 archers and 1,500 dismounted knights and men-at-arms, arranged in a single line of battle with three small divisions of melee infantry in the center.
The English army was protected by a defensive wall of stakes and caltrops, with archers under the command of Sir Thomas Erpingham placed on both flanks and in the woods on each side of the field.
The French army, hesitant to charge immediately, remained in position, allowing Henry V to make the first move by advancing his army into longbow range and unleashing a devastating arrow fire on the charging French cavalry.
The French cavalry charge was decimated by the English archers, with many knights and horses struck down by the dense volley of arrows, leading to chaos and retreat among the French forces.
While the mounted charge was being massacred, a group of peasants and cavalry looted Henry’s baggage train, stealing valuables but not affecting the battle’s outcome.
The French infantry, struggling through mud and disrupted by their own cavalry charge, became easy targets for the accurate English longbowmen, suffering heavy losses as they advanced.
Despite initial setbacks, the French forces managed to push back the English line, engaging in a fierce melee, with Henry V himself nearly killed and Edward, Duke of York, falling in battle.
The French attack eventually collapsed, leading to the capture of many high-ranking prisoners, including the Dukes of Bourbon, Orleans, and Marshal Boucicaut, by the English.
Following the Battle of Agincourt, Henry V continued his military campaigns in France, securing alliances and territories, culminating in the Treaty of Troyes in 1420, where he was named heir and regent of France, marrying Catherine of Valois and securing the English claim to the French throne.

02:23:09

Siege of Orléans: Joan's French Victory

English positioned themselves a mile north of Verneuil with men at arms and longbowmen
French dismounted some men at arms but Lombard knights remained saddled
Lombard mercenaries charged against English, splitting their division
Milanese knights chased off English baggage guard
Bedford regrouped foot soldiers and ordered advance against French and Scottish contingent
English and Norman men at arms proved superior in melee
French line broke when longbowmen joined, leading to many casualties
Lombards returned but were driven away, important nobles captured
Defeat at Verneuil disastrous for future Charles VII, increased Bedford's prestige
Salisbury planned campaign to capture Orléans, besieged by English forces
Salisbury's initial attack on Les Tourelles repelled, shifted to undermining foundations
Salisbury injured, replaced by Suffolk who decided on prolonged siege
English reinforced, French received reinforcements, English constructed siegeworks
French launched unsuccessful sorties, English attempted probing assault
French resistance continued, supply convoy reached Orléans
French forces under Clermont attacked English supply caravan, suffered heavy losses
Charles VII demoralized, considered abandoning kingdom
Joan of Arc, convinced of divine task, undertook journey to lead army against English
Joan joined French relief force, inspired soldiers and officers
English constructed fortifications, Joan crossed Loire and entered Orléans
Joan threatened English to lift siege, skirmishes fought, English fortifications attacked
Joan led French forces to capture English fortresses, repelled at first but eventually succeeded
Glasdale drowned, remaining English troops abandoned siege lines
Siege of Orléans ended after 210 days, French victorious with Joan of Arc's leadership
French army began retaking English-held castles on the Loire, starting with Jargeau, Beaugency, and Meung.

02:37:22

French Victory at Patay Ends English Dominance

Battle of Patay occurred in 1429, where English forces retreated north and united with a relief army, reaching around 5,000 in strength.
French forces prepared a vanguard of 1500 men at arms under La Hire and Jean de Xaintrailles to confront the English near Patay.
English longbowmen positioned themselves defensively on a ridge, with their best archers sent to ambush the French vanguard.
A stag alarmed the English ambush force, revealing their position to French scouts, leading to a premature attack by the French vanguard.
French knights swiftly defeated the English longbowmen, causing significant English casualties and capturing many English captains.
The French victory at Patay marked the defeat of the English longbowmen, dispelling the myth of English invincibility in battle.
The French victory encouraged the dauphin to march towards Reims with Joan of Arc and a 12,000-strong army for his coronation as Charles VII.
After the coronation, Joan of Arc continued campaigns but was captured by the Burgundians and sold to the English, leading to her execution in 1431.
Bedford stabilized the situation around Paris by taking towns and castles, but the English position in France deteriorated due to financial and manpower issues.
The Treaty of Arras in 1435 reconciled French factions, leading to unrest in English lands in France and a series of French victories, culminating in the fall of English strongholds like Pontoise and Meaux by 1441.

02:51:58

French Conquest of Normandy in 1450

France seized castles at Pont-de-l’Arche, Gerberoy, and Conches by late May, refusing an exchange offer from France for Fougeres, leading to the declaration of war at the end of July.
Charles VII led an army that invaded English lands in Normandy, easily taking Pont-Audemer and other castles due to reduced garrisons.
Mantes rose against the English, surrendering to Charles’ troops in September, while Breton forces conquered the Cotentin Peninsula and Duke of Alencon regained control of his namesake city.
King’s forces besieged Rouen, leading to its surrender in less than a week, followed by the recapture of channel ports at Harfleur and Honfleur.
Queen Margaret and Suffolk raised an army of 4,500 men to sail to Normandy, delayed due to lack of ships and mutiny over pay, resulting in Suffolk’s assassination.
Sir Thomas Kyriell led reinforcements to Normandy in March 1450, boosting English morale and besieging Valognes, which surrendered on April 10th.
French forces reinforced Carentan and Saint-Lo, preparing for a battle with Kyriell’s army, which marched through marshlands near Grand-Vey.
Battle of Formigny in 1450 saw Kyriell’s English army defeated by French forces led by Clermont and de Richemont, resulting in Kyriell’s capture and the destruction of most of his army.
French victory at Formigny led to the capture of Vire, Avranches, Bayeaux, and Caen, securing French control over Normandy by August 1450.
French forces began the attack on Gascony in October 1450, capturing Jonzac and swiftly taking over Montguyon, Blaye, Bourg, Saint-Emilion, and Castillon with strong artillery and diplomatic tactics.

03:06:43

Gascony Conflict: York's Defeat at Castillon

French levied heavy taxation on Gascon territory after acquiring it, leading to resentment.
Richard of York's tenants in Wales revolted against Henry VI, prompting York to return to England.
York presented grievances to Henry VI, including the arrest of Edmund Beaufort, but was forced to back down by Margaret of Anjou.
John Talbot raised an army and sailed to Gascony, leading to the city of Bordeaux's capitulation.
Talbot's attack on Gascony surprised Charles VII, who sent reinforcements to the remaining French-held castles.
Multiple French armies began to muster along the Gascony frontier in preparation for invasion.
French armies under Foix and Clermont advanced towards Bordeaux, while another army approached Castillon.
Jean Bureau constructed a fortified artillery park near Castillon, preparing for the English assault.
Talbot led an attack on Bureau's fortification, facing heavy casualties and a counterattack from the French.
Talbot's army collapsed after being ambushed by Breton cavalry, resulting in his death and the loss of the battle.

03:21:59

Impact of Hundred Years' War on France and England

The state of war between England and France concluded in 1475 with the Treaty of Picquigny, establishing a seven-year truce that effectively ended the conflict.
The English agreed to leave France in exchange for a yearly stipend and an upfront payment, leading to a lasting peace until 1492.
The loss of the Pale of Calais to the French in 1558 marked the final expulsion of the English from the continent.
The Lancastrian throne in England faced challenges after Henry V's death, with weak leadership from Henry VI and internal strife among family members and his wife, Margaret of Anjou.
The political struggle in England culminated in the War of the Roses, rooted in grievances from the Hundred Years' War and territorial losses.
King Charles VII of France faced threats from local supporters of English invasions, leading to executions and confiscations of lands from nobles conspiring with the English.
Louis XI of France centralized power, absorbing rival duchies like Brittany and Burgundy, after the Burgundian house's demise in 1477.
Charles VII of France increased taxation and created professional armies funded by tax revenue, centralizing power and diminishing noble autonomy.
The Hundred Years War left lasting impacts on national identities in both France and England, fostering stronger central states and a sense of national unity.

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