What Remains of the Hundred Years War?

When we picture what medieval Europe may have looked like, we often find ourselves conjuring an image of knights in shining armor, the rose of chivalry, the dubious intricacies of court intrigue, and imposing castles surrounded by large moats and great drawbridges. These preconceived illustrations can be almost entirely attributed to the Hundred Years War, which consumed France, England, and most of the nobility of Western and Central Europe from 1337-1453 A.D. The causes of the Hundred Years war can be primarily narrowed down to land disputes between England and France over Plantagenet land holdings in Normandy, Aquitaine, and Ponthieu. Although English kings were forced to pay homage to the kings of France in exchange for their French holdings, the French monarchy received no tax revenue from these provinces, leading them to seek for English eviction from the region. As tensions rose with King Philip VI confiscating Edward III’s French holdings, war began to seem inevitable between the two rival kingdoms. The English king Edward III made claim to the French throne on the grounds of French Salic Law, which prohibited female succession to the throne of France. The direct line of male lineage had been broken after the death of King Philip IV, and had passed through his niece Joan II to her son the future King Philip VI, subsequently launching Europe into a century of perpetual violence, pestilence, and famine. Great castles and marvels of 14th and early 15th

Chateau De Castelnaud in the Dordogne

century defense such as Château De Castelnaud in the Dordogne region of France serve as beautifully preserved relics from the Hundred Years War, which have stood the test of time and conflict. This particular castle changed sides seven times throughout the conflict’s duration due to its strategic location overlooking the Dordogne River, which was essential to trade and travel throughout the province of Gascony. Today it is home to the Museum of Medieval Armaments, a seemingly fitting place to store medieval weapons of war. The Castle of Chinon, which overlooks the Chinon River, also serves as a perfectly preserved relic of the age. The French king Charles VII briefly stayed here during his campaign to free France from English invasion, hosting Joan of Arc who prophesied he

The Escarpments of Forteresse Royale De Chinon

would united France under his house and be crowned King of France in Reims. The castle’s beautiful moats, overgrown walls, and out buildings can clearly be seen from the river, still offering its majesty to passerby’s. But it would be a clear injustice when discussing defensive works of the Hundred Years War to not mention the spectacular Chateau D’Angers, which was built from the 12th-15th centuries by the English House of Plantagenet. Sitting in the center of the city of Angers this fortress, nicknamed the Black Keep for its dark stone, is truly an imposing sight to behold. With walls nearly ten feet thick and towers 59 feet in diameter and 130 feet tall, it is nearly impossible to imagine this castle ever capitulating to a siege. The Chateau was home to Duke Louis I of Anjou who in 1373 commissioned the Apocalypse Tapestry, a great work of medieval art extending six tapestries, totaling 140 meters long, and originally containing up to 90 scenes. This work of art tells the story of the French people in the 14th century through the biblical depiction of Revelations, and remains almost entirely intact - remarkable for pieces of woven fabric nearly 600 years old. Today, the Chateau D’Angers is home to what remains of the Apocalypse Tapestry, and serves as a reminder of the hardships the French people were forced to endure throughout the century.

Chateau d'Angers (aka The Black Keep) the seat of the Plantagenet Dynasty

Fascinatingly enough, the long lasting effects of the Hundred Years War can also be felt in the villages that once held host to spectacular clashes between the armies of English and French Kings. The town of Azincourt, famous for the Battle of Agincourt in 1415 where King Henry V of England defeated a force of French King Charles VI outnumbering him by a factor of five, still strongly identifies with the battle and the legend and culture which followed. The Medieval History Center of Agincourt, a museum dedicated to the battle and early 15th century life in the area, serves as a focal point for the education and remembrance of the Hundred Years War and boasts large collection of early 15th century armaments and interactive exhibits. The driving or walking tour of the battlefield is truly a revealing experience to be had, the now sleepy wheat fields of Azincourt being held in stark juxtaposition to the astounding clash of arms which took place here nearly 600 years ago. Similarly the Musee de Crecy-en-Ponthieu, located in the village of Crecy-en-Ponthieu, is the sister Museum to the Medieval History Center of Agincourt and serves to educate about the Battle of Crecy in 1346. Here the forces of English King Edward III decisively defeated the forces of French King Philip VI, leading to the Treaty of Bretigny which would grant lands in Gascony, Aquitaine, Normandy, and Ponthieu to the English crown, more than the English had bargained for. The museum serves as an accurate and in depth analysis of the causes of the Hundred Years War and the battle itself, containing an extremely interesting collection of archaeological finds from the battlefield.

When speaking of what remains of the Hundred Years war, the impact that Joan of Arc had on medieval and present day France must be recognized and appreciated. The city of Rouen, the site where Joan of Arc was tried and executed for heresy, still remains a medieval architectural and educational center for the 14th and early 15th centuries. Along with the medieval timbered and stone buildings which dominate the old district, the city contains multiple museums dedicated to the remembrance of Joan of Arc and her impact upon France. The Joan of Arc Museum and the Joan of Arc Tower Museum serve as a great wealth of information on the late Hundred Years War, and encapsulates the medieval atmosphere of the city.

The Hundred Years War still lives on today in popular media and culture, such as Shakespeare’s Henry V, the recent Netflix production The King, and the film Black Death which is set during the plague years of the Hundred Years War. The war itself is as pivotal today as it was during the 14th and 15th centuries, coming to encapsulate the medieval stereotype of warfare, combat, and culture.