The Hundred Years' War not, in fact, one hundred years?

Question

Was the Hundred Years' War really not a hundred years? I thought it lasted for about 116 years. If that is true, can someone tell me why its called "hundred years' war"?

THANKS!

Answer 1

Honestly, because "116 Years' War" does not roll off the tongue as well. The conflict (which lasted 116 years from start to finish) was punctuated by several times of peace, and can really be divided into four distinct phases. The term "Hundred Years' War" was invented later to easily describe the entire conflict.

Answer 2

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 and two lengthy periods of peace before it finally ended in the expulsion of the English from France, with the exception of the Calais Pale. 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 a later historical term invented by historians to describe the series of events.

Answer 3

Because 100 years war sounds real catchy. Besides, when a war technically begins and ends is such a gray area, especially if it involves more than two nations.

A war technically begins when declarations of War are signed, and ends when peace agreements are signed.

It was actually several wars, but they were all fought over the same issue, so we just sort of lump them together now.

Technically it lasted 116 years (I think your right about the 116 thing, but I didn't double check it.) I recall that it was actually only fought physically for 103, because it kind of dwindled off at the end, years before a peace agreement was signed.

I hope that helps!

Answer 4

Honestly, you are right cold or hot there has never been an end to wars. People that naturally repel eachother like poison will always be at war. The reason they put numbers on it is to keep track of history, which is okay, but really when have the British and French been at peace. They are always in an economic war. They both have adopted other foreign investors and armies to ally with for the sake of keeping their territories and rulerships and of course culture. It is a Cain and Abel thing, on both sides.

Answer 5

Since the time of William I of England, himself a French duke, French kings had alleged that the king of England was a vassal king to the king of France. Plantagenet kings had, at various times, pledged fealty to the French king. Edward III of England disliked this arrangement and wanted to break free of French domination. When the title to the French crown was disputed, Edward seized his opportunity. His pretext was to declare himself to be king of France and declared war on the French king, Phillip VI. He adopted a new coat of arms with the English lions quartered with the French Fleuer-de-lis and invaded France.

The war actually lasted for 117 years, but there were periodic intervals of peace. At first, the course of the war ran in England’s favour. Edward III took Calais and even captured the French king, John II, in battle. But when John II died in captivity before conceding the throne, his son, Charles V, fought back and even set fire to towns on the English coast.

When Edward’s grandson, Richard II, came to the throne, the fighting subdued but when the Lancastrian kings were in power, England made a concerted attempt to take France. Henry V won decisive victories and, after the battle of Agincourt, was named by the French king, Charles VI, as his successor. Henry’s son, Henry VI was crowned king of France before his first birthday.

Henry VI’s reign was characterised by internal fighting in England and the beginning of the Wars of The Roses. While England was racked by internal fighting, France, under the leadership of Joan of Arc, regained possession of their kingdom.

The war came to an end in 1453, when the French took back all their possessions except for Calais. The result of the war was that England was discouraged from Continental invasions and, from then on, foreign policy was directed at maintaining a discrete distance from Europe. The Royals kept the title ’King (or queen) of France’ which remained on English and British coins until it was relinquished by the Peace of Amiens in the reign of George III.

Answer 6

Picky, picky! And anyway, it was an on-again, off-again affair.