Why is there a rivalry between the English and the French ?

Answer 1

It starts with William of Normandy conquering England in 1066. He left Normandy to his son Robert and England to his son William Rufus -- this led to conflict. "Every king from Henry II to Edward II had engaged in warfare against French Kings on the continent."

Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204) was the richest woman in Christendom. She inherited the Aquitaine - a big chunk of France. She was first married to Louis VII of France. "However, there was a catch: the land would remain independent of France, and Eleanor's oldest son would be both King of France and Duke of Aquitaine. Thus, her holdings would not be merged with France until the next generation". So when she got an annulment from Louis, her lands were still hers. She then married Henry II of England. Now England felt it should possess her lands -- which was a big portion of France.

"The Hundred Years' War was a conflict between England and France, lasting 116 years from 1337 to 1453. It was fought primarily over claims by the English kings to the French throne and was punctuated by several brief periods of peace and two lasting ones before it finally ended in the expulsion of the English from France. Thus, the war was in fact a series of conflicts and is commonly divided into three or four phases: the Edwardian War (1337-1360), the Caroline War (1369-1389), the Lancastrian War (1415-1429), and the slow decline of English fortunes after the appearance of Joan of Arc. The term "Hundred Years' War" was given afterward." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/100_years_war)

Eventually, the British lost their previously owned territory.

Answer 2

First, they are across the channel from eachother , and therefore natural rivals.
Second - There have been wars across the channel between English and French since the Norman Conquest of 1066 confused Normandy with England.
Third - They were great friends during the Crimean War and the two World Wars, but there was a little jealousy after the World Wars were all over. Both nations suffered terribly. France especially in its national pride, and DeGaulle really developed that part. (He had resented having to fight under the British during World War II while his own country had been occupied by the Germans). DeGaulle refused to allow the United Kingdom to join the European Common Market. He wanted to maintain French leadership.
Today, the rivalry is not so strong. They are basically friendly nations (to eachother), with only the natural rivalry of national pride. They sometimes have different national interests that conflict with eachother. But that is normal.

Answer 3

Angel gets closest to the reason but before then the French tried to help Scotland against England and supported Bonnie Prince Charlie and his followers until decisively beaten.

France also have long memories that William the Conquerer was Norman (from Normandy in France) who conquered England in 1066 and became King.

The two countries have always been at war with each other at some time or another because both were mighty powers along with Spain at the time.

Now the rivalry still continues but the World has changed from those olden days and both are Not super powers anymore.

Answer 4

well france and england had rivalry because some of the celtic tribe people who migrated to france became dukes. they were sometimes born into the heirs of monarchs across the country., and had great influence in the society. so anyways the duke or normandy, decided he wanted a more powerful kingdom to rule. well, he decides to move to england and become all grand. so he leaves and french people feel betrayed and upset about his leave. they dont think he is a true frenchman. so people from the same family began to fight against the british for rights to land and so forth. they also wanted to get back at the duke who left and his heirs(which wer a mix of french and english)

-the hundred year war---

ANYWAYS!!!!!

french think british are obsessed with foolish things like sipping tea and playing cricket.

english think french are too obsessed with fashion and pride.

canadiens u are awesome

-i live in ur backyard. all americans.

Answer 5

Thanks to King Henry V the Kingdom of France is actually part of the British Empire.

However, when King John I had a dispute with the Duke of Normandy in France, the Pope at the time was to act as mediator.

When King John I failed to turn up, the Pope awarded Normandy to the Duke of Normandy.

However, once the Church of England became Protestand under Henry VIII the Pope's decree is no longer valid.

Therefore France still belongs to England and the French are still rather upset about this.

Answer 6

You probably have to go back to the Norman Invasion starting with the Battle of Hastings in 1066 to answer that one!

The short answer though is location. Same reason Irish and Brits have issues, Iraqis and Iranians, Germans and French... the list goes on...

Answer 7

i'm a french-canadian. Born and raised French yet lived in Ontario for over 30 years. there is not any opposition, however the Quebec government is making it complicated for different provinces in spite of the indisputable fact that. one million) we prefer a license to have the means to artwork in Quebec, yet they like to return to Ontario and take our jobs. We fairly do not ask them for a enable. 2) The service in retail shops is diverse is they be attentive to which you're English. I even have considered some extremely rude sales clerk. yet, besides that, they're extremely not any diverse than the reat persons.

Answer 8

They have always been fighting and the French helped a young group of rebels gain freedom from England, those rebels are now known as America.

Answer 9

Do you mean in Canada or on opposite sides of the English Channel?

Answer 10

It's a left over from the days of imperialism when they were competing for the same territories to add to their empires.