In England, the Wars of the Roses broke out soon after the Hundred Years’ War ended. Many historians argue that the English failure to maintain their hold on France was partially due to political instability at home. The death of Henry V in 1422 left an infant, Henry VI, as king, leading to regency councils and factional power struggles.
These civil conflicts undermined the strength of both nations and often dictated military decisions. The war wasn’t fought solely on the battlefield but also in royal courts and city streets.
The War Ended with a Shift in European Power
The Hundred Years’ War officially ended in 1453, with the French recapture of Bordeaux, marking the end of English possessions in France—except for Calais, which would remain in English hands until 1558.
By the war’s end, France had transformed into a more centralized and cohesive state under Charles VII. It emerged stronger, with a standing army and better administration. England, by contrast, was drained of resources, suffering from political chaos and civil war.
The war also had long-term consequences across Europe. It marked the decline of feudal armies, the rise of nationalism, and the emergence of gunpowder weapons in warfare. Knights no longer dominated battlefields; professional soldiers and artillery did. The Hundred Years’ War, in many ways, ushered in the early modern age.
Conclusion: A Century of War that Shaped Nations
The Hundred Years’ War was not just a dynastic struggle between England and France—it was a crucible in which modern nation-states began to form. The stories from this prolonged conflict—of kings and captives, saints and soldiers—showcase a Europe in transition.
From Edward III’s disputed claim to the throne to Joan of Arc’s divine mission, from the muddy fields of Agincourt to the ashes of Rouen, the war was a defining episode in medieval history. It witnessed the evolution of military tactics, the rise of peasant soldiers, and the fall of chivalric ideals. Above all, it revealed the immense human cost of war—and the enduring power of courage and conviction.
While it may be called the “Hundred Years’ War,” it gave rise to lessons that still resonate today: that war is never truly glorious, that heroes can come from anywhere, and that history is written not only by kings, but also by those who dared to defy them. shutdown123