This article explores seven fascinating and historically accurate stories from the Hundred Years’ War, revealing the real people, dramatic events, and enduring legacies behind one of medieval Europe’s most iconic conflicts.
The War Began Over a Claim to the French Throne
The root of the Hundred Years’ War lay in a dynastic dispute. In 1328, King Charles IV of France died without a male heir. According to French succession laws (especially the Salic Law), the crown could not pass through the female line. Yet, Edward III of England, the grandson of Philip IV of France through his mother, Isabella of France, believed he had a legitimate claim.
The French nobility rejected Edward’s claim and chose Philip VI, a cousin of Charles IV, to be king. Edward initially accepted Philip’s rule, but by 1337, tensions over territorial control and trade escalated, prompting Edward to revive his claim to the French crown. This dispute sparked what would become a century-long conflict.
The dynastic argument wasn’t simply about pride or legality—it symbolized the fierce rivalry between two powerful monarchies competing for dominance in Europe. The assertion of Edward III’s claim to the throne was one of the earliest examples of monarchs using legal lineage to justify war. shutdown123