The Hundred Years War covers many famous battles, like and Orleans with Joan of Arc and Agincourt with Henry V. It started in about 1340 with the battle of
Sluys, and ended in about 1450 with the battle of Bordeaux. Not exactly 100 years but close enough. Here are the battles of the Hundred Years War with some
information.
- The Battle of Sluys, 1340
- Lead by Edward III on the English side and by Philip VI on the French side. This was a sea battle, and very sad for the French. They had tied all their boats together to make it easier to move supplies across them, and the English took advantage of this and started a fire on one, and it spread to the others, thus destroying the French navy and giving England control of the Channel.
- The Battle of Crecy, 1346
- Lead by Edward III and the Black Prince on the English side and by Philip VI on the French side. There was some new technology in this battle: The English yew bow, or long bow, with one shot every five seconds. Compared to the French crossbow, with one shot every two minutes, this was a doomsday device against the French. The English won this battle also, and the French lost many fine knights.
- The Siege of Calais, 1347
- Lead by Edward III for on the English side and by the Governer of Calais on the French side. The English won again, but the town was saved when six Burghers surrendered. The English then colonized the city.
- The Black Death, 1348-1350
- This isn't a battle, obviously, but it did take place during the war, and affected both sides.
- The Battle of Poitiers, 1356
- Lead by the Black Prince on the English side and by John I on the French side. The English win again, and John I is captured for ransom. After this battle, the English have some trouble. Both the Black Prince and Edward III die, the leaders who have won all the battles for the English so far.
- The Battle of Agincourt, 1415
- Lead by Henry V on the English side and by the Constable of France on the French side. The English develop armor piercing arrows, and the French get two-edged swords. This battle is famous for Henry V's speech beforehand, the St. Crispin's day speech. The English archers are able to easily kill off a great number of French noble since they are getting stuck in the mud with their heavy armor, and thus win the battle.
- The Battle of Orleans, 1429
- Lead by Joan of Arc on the French side against various English leaders. This gives the French some encouragement after they win a battle for once, and they all rally together. Around this time Charles VII is crowned king because Joan, and, sadly, Joan is later burned as a witch.
- The Battle of Bordeaux, 1450
- This battle ends the war, and even though the French won this battle, they had lost most of the others. The French were lead by Louis XI and they kicked the English out of France.