The Hundred Years’ War
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You are going to be playing your way through the Hundred Years’ War to see if you can survive and lead your side to victory. But before we get started, do you remember why the thrones of France and England were intertwined in the Middle Ages?
Duh.
Do I look like a scholar of European history? No.
Remember this guy, William Duke of Normandy—aka William the Conqueror? In 1066, he invaded England in order to take the English throne for himself, defeating King Harold Godwinson. From that point on, the royal and noble lines of England and France were intertwined, and as marriage between both nobles and royalty often took place across French – English lines, the inheritance of lands and titles in both countries was often a point of contention. In addition, English kings often held French lands, but because of the feudal system, the English kings really on held lands in France as vassals of the French king. Fast forward to the 14th century, and Gascony was the only land in France still claimed by the English. But it was an important province, especially in the wine and wool trade, which were central to England’s economy.
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You say you remember, but let’s review anyway. This guy, William Duke of Normandy—aka William the Conqueror—invaded England in 1066 in order to take the English throne for himself, defeating King Harold Godwinson. From that point on, the royal and noble lines of England and France were intertwined, and as marriage between both nobles and royalty often took place across French – English lines, the inheritance of lands and titles in both countries was often a point of contention. In addition, English kings often held French lands, but because of the feudal system, the English kings really on held lands in France as vassals of the French king. Fast forward to the 14th century, and Gascony was the only land in France still claimed by the English. But it was an important province, especially in the wine and wool trade, which were central to England’s economy.
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Ok, so it’s 1337 and Charles IV of France has died without an heir. Two men claim the throne. One is King Edward III of England (of the House of Plantagenet), whose mother Isabella was Charles’ sister, making Edward Charles’ nephew. The other claimant is Philip, Count of Valois (in northern France), who is Charles’ patrilineal cousin. Who do you think should be awarded the throne?
Give it to Frenchy Phil
Give it to ole Eddy
The French say no one can claim the throne based on a woman’s lineage! Edward decides he’ll have to invade and take the crown by force. So it sounds like you’re supporting the English claim to France. Does that mean you’d like to continue on as an English longbowman? Or do you want to change your mind and toss your hat in the with the French as a knight?
Knight me!
Go with the bow
The French nobility agree—the crown must pass to a Frenchman, not so some English king who claims lineage through a woman! Edward decides to invade France to take the crown by force. So it sounds like you’re supporting the French claim to France. Does that mean you’d like to continue on as a French knight? Or do you want to change your mind and toss your hat in the ring as an English longbowman?
Knight me!
Go with the bow
The English have invaded northern France, and the past eight years have brought little more than sporadic fighting between English and French forces. A recent English invasion force sailing from England has been delayed by storms, and the French are laying siege to Gascony (the sole English possession in France). The English are in need of manpower and supplies, but the Duke of Gascony is also appealing for immediate help fighting off French attacks. Because you’re an experienced soldier, Edward asks you for your opinion. Should he raise a fresh army and supplies to land in northern France in order to try to surprise the French, or should he immediately go to Gascony to aid his vassal? Click on the region you wish to launch an attack.
Help Gascony
Invade the north
The English have invaded northern France, and the past eight years have brought little more than sporadic fighting between English and French forces. A recent English invasion force sailing from England has been delayed by storms, and the French are laying siege to Gascony (the sole English possession in France). Edward’s vassal, the Duke of Gascony, has been defeating French troops in Gascony. Meanwhile, Edward sent an invasion force across the English Channel, but it has been delayed by storms. As on of King Philip’s most trusted vassals, you have been asked to help decide his next move. Should he raise a large army to send to Gascony, or should he use France’s superior navy to blockade the northern coast to prevent the landing of English ships? Click on the region you wish to attack or fortify.
Invade Gascony
Defend the coast
Edward is required to aid his vassal in Gascony, but he comes up with a strategic plan. He raises a fresh army and sends a large fleet across the English Channel, surprising the French and allowing the English army to march across the French countryside, razing every town in their path and looting whatever they could from the populace. Philip quickly rallied an army of knights and crossbowmen and attacked Edward’s forces at Crecy in 1346. But Philip’s army was unprepared for Edward’s longbowmen and infantry. Led by Edward’s 16 year old son, the Black Prince, the quick-loading English archers cut down the French crossbowmen and mounted knights. At nightfall, the French finally withdrew. Nearly a third of their army lay slain on the field. Edward’s army then marched on to the city of Calais on the English Channel, which surrendered in 1347. The war has gotten off to an auspicious start, but something more sinister might be on its way…
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The French are surprised at the landing of the English fleet, but Philip quickly rallied a large army of knights and crossbowmen and attacked Edward’s forces at Crecy in 1346. But the French army was unprepared for Edward’s longbowmen and infantry. Led by Edward’s 16 year old son, the Black Prince, the quick-loading English archers cut down the French crossbowmen and mounted knights. At nightfall, the French finally withdrew. Nearly a third of their army lay slain on the field. Then Edward’s army marched on to the city of Calais on the English Channel, which is forced to surrender in 1347.
The war has not gotten off to an auspicious start, but something more sinister might be on its way…
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In 1347, the Black Death arrives in Europe, quickly bringing the war to a halt as it ravaged the population. In England, the death rate hits 40% in some regions. The war had already depleted King Edward’s treasury, and now the plague has led to rampant inflation as prices rise and trade is disrupted. With so many deaths, there is also a shortage of labor, and some workers are refusing to work unless they are paid higher wages, knowing their labor is desperately needed. On top of that, Edward has borrowed millions of florins from Italian bankers and wealthy merchants. What should Edward do to stabilize the economy and finance his war?
Set a limit on wages so that peasants will keep working and inflation will go down
Ask Parliament to approve a tax to increase revenues
In 1347, the Black Death arrives in Europe, quickly bringing the war to a halt as it ravaged the population. Half of Paris’ population dies. The war had already depleted King Philip’s treasury, and now the plague has led to a labor shortage, causing rampant inflation as prices rise. What should Philip do to stabilize the economy knowing and ensure he can retake lands lost to England once the war resumes?
Set prices to get inflation under control
Ask the Estates-General (France’s parliament) to approve taxes for revenue
Parliament agrees to pass the Statute of Labourers, requiring that “the old wages shall be given and no more.” Servants and other laborers were not allowed to demand wages higher than what they had been before the Black Death hit. Serfs and servants also had to serve their lords before they could go looking for work elsewhere.
Unfortunately, neither Parliament nor the king seems to realize what poor shape the economy is in, especially with the new taxes to finance the war. Edward has called for new taxes 27 times during the war, and he defaulted on the 1.5 million florins he borrowed from Florentine (Italian) lenders (an amount that equaled 5 years of royal revenue)! By 1381, peasants and commoners led by a man named Wat Tyler are in rebellion. From now on, the king is going to need Parliament’s approval to pass taxes for the war, and they’re going to be quite wary of raising additional taxes. Instead, taxes on the English wool trade and private loans from wealthy merchants will pay most of the costs of the Hundred Years’ War.
Wat Tyler being killed during the Peasants’ Revolt
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Parliament agrees to raise taxes, and they also pass the Statute of Labourers, requiring that “the old wages shall be given and no more.” Servants and other laborers were not allowed to demand wages higher than what they had been before the Black Death hit. Serfs and servants also had to serve their lords before they could go looking for work elsewhere.
Unfortunately, neither Parliament nor the king seems to realize what poor shape the economy is in, especially with the new taxes to finance the war. Edward has called for new taxes 27 times during the war, and he defaulted on the 1.5 million florins he borrowed from Florentine (Italian) lenders (an amount that equaled 5 years of royal revenue)! By 1381, peasants and commoners led by a man named Wat Tyler are in rebellion. From now on, the king is going to need Parliament’s approval to pass taxes for the war, and they’re going to be quite wary of raising additional taxes. Instead, taxes on the English wool trade and private loans from wealthy merchants will pay most of the costs of the Hundred Years’ War.
Wat Tyler being killed during the Peasants’ Revolt
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Now that England has more or less recovered from the Black Death and a drained treasury, King Edward goes on the offensive again, sending his son the Black Prince to lead a raid into France. When King John of France refused to surrender, the Black Prince’s army routed the French at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356, taking King John captive. His son, Charles the Dauphin, has taken his place but faces chaos of his own. Sick of taxes and the demands of their nobles, peasants have rebelled in the Jacquerie Uprising. Meanwhile, nobles are fighting among one another in support of rival claimants to the French throne. Should Edward take advantage of the situation and try to seize the throne once and for all?
Go for the crown!
Try to get the French nobles to support your claim the the throne in return for releasing King John.
King Edward decides to take advantage of the instability in France and launches an invasion. But after failing to take the cities of Reims and Paris and then getting hit by a brutal hailstorm that killed over 1,000, Edward changes tactics and negotiates a treaty, the Treaty of Brétigny (1360). The French would pay 3 million French coins, and Edward would gain more lands in the French region of Aquitaine in exchange for renouncing his claim to the French throne. Unfortunately, King John dies before he is released, and now his son Charles becomes King Charles V of France.
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Not wanting to have to turn to the Estates-General every time he needed money, King Philip and his successors find other ways to try to finance the war, setting prices, debasing the currency, and taking loans from wealthy merchants. They also implement two new taxes: the taille (land tax) and the gabelle (salt tax). But the English have rebounded from the war and resumed their assaults on the French coast, and then at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356, they capture the new French king, King John II. France will have to pay an enormous ransom to free him.
Amid this chaos, the one thing the nobles of the Estates-General has managed to do is pass a law requiring peasants to defend the manors of their lords.
A French town being sacked
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French kings hate consulting the Estates-General, believing that they did not need anyone else’s consent to raise taxes. Plus, the nobles of the Estates try to use the opportunity to challenge the king’s power. Instead, King Philip and his successors find other ways to try to finance the war, setting prices, debasing the currency, and taking loans from wealthy merchants. They also implement two new taxes: the taille (land tax) and the gabelle (salt tax). But the English have rebounded from the war and resumed their assaults on the French coast, and then at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356, they capture the new French king, King John II. France will have to pay an enormous ransom to free him.
Amid this chaos, the one thing the nobles of the Estates-General has managed to do is pass a law requiring peasants to defend the manors of their lords.
A French town being sacked
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With mounting war costs, Englishmen plundering town and manors, and now the kidnapping of King John II at the Battle of Poitiers, France seems to be falling apart. Nobles have taken advantage of the situation and start supporting rival claims to the French throne and even attacking peasants. Sick of the ineffective government, tax burdens, and lack of protection, the peasants rise up in the Jacquerie Uprising, attacking manor houses and accusing the nobles of abandoning the king at Poitiers.
King John II’s son, Charles Dauphin of France (heir to the throne), has taken over while his father is imprisoned by the English. Edward III and his son the Black Prince have resumed attacking French cities, but have had little success and seem to be losing momentum. Edward suggests meeting for negotiations. Should Charles agree to negotiate a truce?
Charles Dauphin, who would become King Charles V
Can’t trust the English. Keep fighting & drive them out of France!
With all this internal unrest, it’s time to settle for peace.
King Edward decides to take advantage of the instability in France and launches an invasion. But after failing to take the cities of Reims and Paris and then getting hit by a brutal hailstorm that killed over 1,000, Edward changes tactics and negotiates a treaty, the Treaty of Brétigny (1360). The French would pay 3 million French coins, and Edward would gain more lands in the French region of Aquitaine in exchange for renouncing his claim to the French throne. Unfortunately, King John dies before he is released, and now his son Charles becomes King Charles V of France.
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After the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360, there are some royal shake ups in both England and France that lead to the end of a brief period of peace. Both Edward III of England and John II of France have died. In France, Charles V decides to use his superior navy to start raiding England’s southern coast and take back the lands ceded to the English in the Treaty of Bretigny. He retook control of most English held lands in France, restored the treasury, and created a permanent army to protect the French population. But just as the French are gaining momentum, Charles dies and is succeeded by his son, Charles VI, who is a lunatic. Seriously, they call him Charles the Mad. He falls into periods of lunacy during which he believes he is made of glass, forgets his name, thinks he is a saint, and refuses to bathe or change clothes. Obviously this will not be good for the war effort, and the nobles start a civil war over who should take the throne. Who will you support?
The Armagnacs, who support Charles, Duke of Orléans (Charles VI’s son)
The Burgundians, who support John the Fearless (Duke of Burgundy, a very wealthy region of France)
In England, Henry V has come to the throne after the disastrous reign of his father (Henry IV), and he’s bent on taking advantage of the turmoil and civil war in France. He seems ready to launch an invasion force, so what’s next?
See if Henry V will ally with you against the Burgundians.
Stop your squabbling with the Burgundians and mount a united force to defeat the English invasion.
King Henry V of England
In England, Henry V has come to the throne after the disastrous reign of his father (Henry IV), and he’s bent on taking advantage of the turmoil and civil war in France. He seems ready to launch an invasion force, so what’s next?
See if Henry V will ally with you against the Armagnacs.
Stop your squabbling with the Armagnacs and mount a united force to defeat the English invasion.
King Henry V of England
The Burgundians manage to send envoys to Henry V first, but negotiations break down. Henry says he will renounce his claim to the French throne if the French pay 1.6 million coins and cede several French territories to the English, including Normandy and Aquitaine. But the Burgundians refuse and instead form a hasty alliance with the Armagnacs as Henry prepares to invade. Despite the superior numbers, your French troops suffer a devastating defeat at Agincourt, where about 40% of the French nobility are killed, many of them supporters of the Armagnacs. Henry is hailed as a national hero back in England, and the battle introduces a new method of warfare: artillery.
In the Treaty of Troyes, Henry is named the new heir to the French throne (he will marry Charles VI’s daughter, Catherine of Valois) in exchange for fighting alongside the Burgundians to defeat Charles VI’s son, Charles, Duke of Orléans. So, I guess it’s time to pick sides…again.
I’m sick of war: Henry can have the throne.
Fight for Charles, the rightful heir!
The Battle of Agincourt depicted in a 15th century miniature
Henry proposes a pretty hefty truce: he says he will renounce his claim to the French throne if the French pay 1.6 million coins and cede several French territories to the English, including Normandy and Aquitaine. But the Burgundians refuse and instead form a hasty alliance with the Armagnacs as Henry prepares to invade. Despite the superior numbers, your French troops suffer a devastating defeat at Agincourt, where about 40% of the French nobility are killed, many of them supporters of the Armagnacs. Henry is hailed as a national hero back in England, and the battle introduces a new method of warfare: artillery.
In the Treaty of Troyes, Henry is named the new heir to the French throne (he will marry Charles VI’s daughter, Catherine of Valois) in exchange for fighting alongside the Burgundians to defeat Charles VI’s son, Charles, Duke of Orléans. So, I guess it’s time to pick sides…again.
I’m sick of war: Henry can have the throne.
Fight for Charles, the rightful heir!
The Battle of Agincourt depicted in a 15th century miniature
You might be ready to give up the French throne to an English king, but apparently fate is not ready for that to happen. King Henry V dies (probably of dysentery) before he can take the throne. His son becomes Henry VI and will continue the war (with his new French allies) to claim his right to the French throne. Meanwhile, Charles Duke of Orleans has taken over the French war effort as Charles VII. Luckily it does not seem he has inherited his father’s madness. But the English are currently laying siege to Orléans, and if the city falls, they’ll surely conquer France.
And speaking of fate, now might be the time to believe in divine intervention. A peasant girl named Joan shows up claiming that she has divine visions in which various saints tell her she is destined to lead the French to victory with Charles on the throne. Should Charles trust this peasant girl?
Divine visions? She’s a witch! Burn her!
Hey, if she says she’s got God on her side, let’s go for it.
The fight to support Charles (soon to be Charles VII), is off to an auspicious start. Before Henry V can take the French throne, he dies (probably of dysentery), leaving the English throne to his son, Henry VI, who will insist on his right to the French throne due to the Treaty of Troyes. But Charles still needs to fight off the English and their French allies, who are currently laying siege to Orléans, and if the city falls, they’ll surely conquer France. Then, an interesting woman shows up claiming she can help Charles. Joan of Arc, a peasant girl, claims that she has divine visions in which various saints tell her she is destined to lead the French to victory with Charles on the throne. Should he trust this peasant girl?
Divine visions? She’s a witch! Burn her!
Hey, if she says she’s got God on her side, let’s go for it.
Charles is willing to try pretty much anything, so he sends this “Joan of Arc” to Orléans to help lift the siege. Her presence greatly boosts French morale, and they break the siege in 1429, allowing Charles to officially be crowned King Charles VII of France. The tide of the war seems to have turned, and now the Burgundians have mostly abandoned their English allies, allowing Charles to centralize his control and take back Normandy and Gascony. Unfortunately, Joan of Arc is captured by Burgundians in 1430, who then turn her over to the English. She was put on trial for heresy and blasphemy (in part because she wore men’s clothes). She was burned at the stake in 1431, but the French revered her as a martyr, national hero, and patron saint of France.
Joan of Arc entering Orléans
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You may not believe in this “Joan of Arc” character, but sure believes in herself. She heads to Orléans to help lift the siege, and her presence greatly boosts French morale. They break the siege in 1429, allowing Charles to officially be crowned King Charles VII of France. The tide of the war seems to have turned, and now the Burgundians have mostly abandoned their English allies, allowing Charles to centralize his control and take back Normandy and Gascony. Unfortunately, Joan of Arc is captured by Burgundians in 1430, who then turn her over to the English. She was put on trial for heresy and blasphemy (in part because she wore men’s clothes). She was burned at the stake in 1431, but the French revered her as a martyr, national hero, and patron saint of France.
Joan of Arc entering Orléans
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Thanks in part to the leadership of Charles VII, France is now too rich in men and resources to be stopped. In 1435 the English crucially lost the support of their allies the Burgundians when their leader Philip the Good of Burgundy joined with Charles VII, by the Treaty of Arras, to finally end the French civil war. Then Henry VI agreed to marry Charles VII’s niece, Margaret of Anjou, signalling his reluctance to continue the war. Meanwhile, his advisors are against making peace. The French Crown then went on, by a mixed strategy of conquest and marriage alliances, to bring such regions as Burgundy, Provence, and Brittany together into one nation-state that was richer and more powerful than ever. England meanwhile sank into bankruptcy and civil war. Henry VI suffered from bouts of insanity, and his weak and ineffective reign came to an end when he was murdered in the Tower of London in May 1471 as part of a long succession crisis and civil war among English nobles known as the Wars of the Roses. France and England were now two separate nations with professional armies and their own royal bloodlines.
Congrats, you helped lead the French to victory!
The 1450 Battle of Formigny, where France defeated the last of England’s army in Normandy
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Territorial Changes in the Hundred Years’ War
You’re done!
Early English victories
France turns the tide
After the Treaty of Bretigny in 1360, there are some royal shake ups in both England and France that lead to the end of a brief period of peace. Both Edward III of England and John II of France have died. In France, Charles V used his superior navy to raid England’s southern coast and take back almost all the English held lands in France. But just as the French are gaining momentum, Charles dies and is succeeded by his son, Charles VI, who is a lunatic. Seriously, they call him Charles the Mad. He falls into periods of lunacy during which he believes he is made of glass, forgets his name, thinks he is a saint, and refuses to bathe or change clothes. Meanwhile, Henry V has become King of England after the tumultuous reign of his father, Henry IV, who faced numerous rebellions after he murdered his own son (Richard II) to take the throne. What should Henry V do now that he’s king?
Prove your strength as king and invade France to make it part of an English empire.
Focus on maintaining stability within England.
Henry quickly took some actions to shore up the English nation. He smoothed over the rivalries that had plagued his father’s reign to promote unity and became the first king in 35 years to use English, not French, as the language of government. With domestic affairs taken care of, Henry then takes advantage of the civil war in France and decides to invade Normandy before moving on to Agincourt in 1415. Henry wins a stunning victory, once again thanks largely to the longbow archers. Back in England, the victory contributes to a huge boost in morale and nationalism, with people thinking of themselves as “English” for the first time. There is even a popular song written in Henry V’s honor.
The French suffered massive casualties at Agincourt, especially after Henry ordered the slaughter of thousands of French prisoners. With his heel on the neck of the French, what should Henry do next?
Seek an alliance with one of the sides in the French civil war. If they help you, you’ll give up the French throne in return for considerable territory in France.
Demand the French surrender and give you the throne. If they don’t, you continue your invasion until they are bled dry.
The Battle of Agincourt depicted in a 15th century miniature
Henry takes advantage of the civil war in France and decides to invade Normandy before moving on to Agincourt in 1415. He wins an unexpected victory—thanks again to the English longbow archers—that greatly boosts English morale and contributes to a sense of unity and nationalism in England, where people are beginning to see themselves as “English” for the first time. There is even a popular song written in Henry V’s honor.
The French suffered massive casualties at Agincourt, especially after Henry ordered the slaughter of thousands of French prisoners. With his heel on the neck of the French, what should Henry do next?
Seek an alliance with one of the sides in the French civil war. If they help you, you’ll give up the French throne in return for considerable territory in France.
Demand the French surrender and give you the throne. If they don’t, you continue your invasion until they are bled dry.
The Battle of Agincourt depicted in a 15th century miniature
After French troops suffer a devastating defeat at Agincourt, where about 40% of the French nobility are killed, the Burgundians decide to cut their losses and focus on winning the civil war against the Armagnacs. They agree to sign the Treaty of Troyes. Henry is named the new heir to the French throne (he will marry Charles VI’s daughter, Catherine of Valois) in exchange for fighting alongside the Burgundians to defeat Charles VI’s son, Charles, Duke of Orléans.
Henry has been riding a wave of nationalism, but then disaster strikes in the form of…diarrhea. Before he can even take the French throne, he dies (likely of dysentery), leaving his son to assume the throne as Henry VI. Henry VI and will continue the war (with his new French allies) to claim his right to the French throne. Meanwhile, Charles Duke of Orleans has taken over the French war effort as Charles VII. The English army, led by Henry VI’s uncle, are currently laying siege to Orléans with their Burgundian allies, and if the city falls, they’ll surely conquer France.
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The Siege of Orléans in 1429
French troops suffer a devastating defeat at Agincourt, where about 40% of the French nobility are killed, many of them Armagnacs. Henry takes advantage of their losses and takes several more cities before focusing his attention on Normandy. At this point, the Burgundians decide to cut their losses and focus on winning the civil war against the Armagnacs. They approach Henry for an alliance and agree to sign the Treaty of Troyes. Henry is named the new heir to the French throne (he will marry Charles VI’s daughter, Catherine of Valois) in exchange for fighting alongside the Burgundians to defeat Charles VI’s son, Charles, Duke of Orléans.
Henry has been riding a wave of nationalism, but then disaster strikes in the form of…diarrhea. Before he can even take the French throne, he dies (likely of dysentery), leaving his son to assume the throne as Henry VI. Henry VI and will continue the war (with his new French allies) to claim his right to the French throne. Meanwhile, Charles Duke of Orleans has taken over the French war effort as Charles VII. The English army, led by Henry VI’s uncle, are currently laying siege to Orléans with their Burgundian allies, and if the city falls, they’ll surely conquer France.
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The Siege of Orléans in 1429
Just when it seems the English have the upper hand, a peasant girl named Joan of Arc shows up and turns the tide of the siege. Claiming to have divine visions in which various saints tell her she is destined to lead the French to victory with Charles VII as their new king, Joan gives the French army a huge morale boost. They lift the siege, and Charles is officially crowned King Charles VII of France, dashing Henry VI’s hopes of taking the throne. The one bright side? Joan is captured by your Burgundian allies and turned over to English officials, who will put her on trial for heresy and blasphemy (in part because she wore men’s clothing) and burn her at the stake in 1431. Now some of Henry’s advisors are against making peace with the French, while others urge him to negotiate. What should Henry do next?
Joan of Arc entering Orléans
Regroup and focus on holding on to Calais and Gascony
Ask Charles VII to meet with you and talk peace terms.
Probably smart to sue for peace—English morale is at an all time low, and after decades of taxes, bloodshed, and a growing battle among nobles over the future of the English monarchy, there is little support for the war. Thanks in part to the leadership of Charles VII, France is now too rich in men and resources to be stopped. And by 1435, the Burgundians have abandoned their English allies and signed a separate peace with Charles VII, ending the French civil war. Henry decides to send a signal of good faith by marrying Charles’s niece, Margaret of Anjou.
The French Crown then went on, by a mixed strategy of conquest and marriage alliances, to bring such regions as Burgundy, Provence, and Brittany together into one nation-state that was richer and more powerful than ever. England meanwhile sinks into bankruptcy and civil war. Henry VI suffered from bouts of insanity, and his weak and ineffective reign comes to an end when he is murdered in the Tower of London in May 1471 as part of a long succession crisis and civil war among English nobles known as the Wars of the Roses. France and England were now two separate nations with professional armies and their own royal bloodlines.
Sorry, but you failed to lead the English to victory in this war.
The 1450 Battle of Formigny, where France defeated the last of England’s army in Normandy
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You can try to keep fighting, but you might be fighting one losing battle after another. Thanks in part to the leadership of Charles VII, France is now too rich in men and resources to be stopped, and after years of taxes and feuding among nobles over the future of the English monarchy, there is little support for the war. By 1435, the Burgundians have abandoned their English allies and signed a separate peace with Charles VII, ending the French civil war. Henry decides to send a signal of good faith by marrying Charles’s niece, Margaret of Anjou.
The French Crown then went on, by a mixed strategy of conquest and marriage alliances, to bring such regions as Burgundy, Provence, and Brittany together into one nation-state that was richer and more powerful than ever. England meanwhile sinks into bankruptcy and civil war. Henry VI suffered from bouts of insanity, and his weak and ineffective reign comes to an end when he is murdered in the Tower of London in May 1471 as part of a long succession crisis and civil war among English nobles known as the Wars of the Roses. France and England were now two separate nations with professional armies and their own royal bloodlines.
Sorry, but you failed to lead the English to victory in this war.
The 1450 Battle of Formigny, where France defeated the last of England’s army in Normandy
Continue
Territorial Changes in the Hundred Years’ War
You’re done!
Early English victories
France turns the tide