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The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1998
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Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The - 1998 Edition (1998)(Epic Marketing).iso
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Hundred_Years'_War
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1992-09-02
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The series of conflicts between England and
France 1337-1453. Its origins lay with the
English kings' possession of Gascony (SW
France), which the French kings claimed as
their fief, and with trade rivalries over
Flanders. The two kingdoms had a long history
of strife before 1337, and the Hundred Years'
war has sometimes been interpreted as merely
an intensification of these struggles. It was
caused by fears of French intervention in
Scotland, which the English were trying to
subdue, and by the claim of England's Edward
III (through his mother Isabel, daughter of
Charles IV) to the crown of France. After the
war, domestic problems, such as the War of
the Roses, prevented England (which kept
Calais until 1558) from attempting to conquer
France again. It gave up continental
aspirations and began to develop as a sea
power. France was ravaged by the Black Death,
famine, and gangs of bandits, in addition to
the devastation caused by the war. In both
countries, the decline of the feudal nobility
and the rise of the middle class allowed the
monarchies gradually to become established.
1340 The English were victorious at the naval
battle of Sluys.
1346 Battle of Crecy, another English
victory. 1347 The English took Calais.
1356 Battle of Poitiers, where Edward the
Black Prince defeated the French. King John
of France was captured. late 1350s-early
1360s France had civil wars, brigandage, and
the popular uprising of the Jacquerie. 1360
Treaty of Bretigny-Calais. France accepted
English possession of Calais, and of a
greatly enlarged duchy of Gascony. John was
ransomed for 500,000.
1369-1414 The tide turned in favour of the
French, and when there was another truce in
1388, only Calais, Bordeaux, and Bayonne were
in English hands. A state of half-war
continued for many years.
1415 Henry V invaded France and won a victory
at Agincourt, followed by conquest of
Normandy.
1419 In the Treaty of Toyes, Charles VI of
France was forced to disinherit his son, the
Dauphin, in favour of Henry V, who was to
marry Catherine, Charles' daughter. Most of N
France was in English hands.
1422-28 After the death of Henry V his
brother Bedford was generally successful.
1429 Joan of Arc raised the siege of Orleans,
and the Dauphin was crowned Charles VII at
Rheims. 1430-53 Even after Joan's capture and
death the French continued their successful
counteroffensive, and in 1453 only Calais was
left in English hands.