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Hundred Years War Research Paper

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The Hundred Years' War was a series of wars between England and France that began in 1337 and ended in 1453.3 The war began when Edward III of England wrote a letter to Phillip IV of France, refusing to put the king of Scotland back on his throne and claiming he was the rightful heir to the French throne. This letter was written on October 7, 1337. The idea of England declaring war on France seemed insane. France was considered the richest and most powerful nation in Europe, whereas England was considered poor, small, and weak.2 Despite this fact, England won most of the major battles. They had decisive victories at the naval battle of Sluys in 1340, the Battle of Crecy in 1346, the Battle of Poitiers in 1356, and the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. In 1360, after the Battle of Poitiers, where French king John …show more content…

For example, France had a much larger army, but it was a short term army since each knight only had to serve his feudal duty of 40 days. England, on the other hand, had a smaller, but more stable and long-term army, since its members didn't have a minimum amount of days they had to serve.2 Another huge advantage the English had over the French was the longbow. The English longbow was capable of shooting a three-foot arrow 200 yards and still piercing a knight's armor.4 The French still used crossbows, which had a longer range and were more accurate. The problem for the French was that an Englishman could shoot five arrows with his longbow in the time it took a Frenchman to load his crossbow.2 The longbow was a major factor in England's many victories. Near the end of the war, France realized her dilemma and poured money into the research and development of both guns and cannons. When France began to use firearms, the war turned in her favor.2 The use of the longbow and the development of guns and cannons certainly played major roles in the course and outcome of the Hundred Years'

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