Hundred Years' War (1337-1453)

Why did it happen?

• The question of succession to the French throne
• Charles IV of France had died without a male heir
• His successor was Philip VI, his cousin
• However, Edward III of England claimed legitimate succession
• Based on his mother Isabella's relation to Charles IV (siblings)

The consequences of which were...

• Edward III revived his claim
• "King of France and the French Royal Arms"
• Invaded France along with his son, the "Black Prince"
• Managed to capture John II, Philip VI's successor
• A young Charles V was forced to sign the Treaty of Brittany

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• Charles V grew up to be a great ruler
• Won back the greater part of Aquitaine
• When he died, his son became Charles VI
• Charles VI was subject to bouts of insanity
• Caused his uncles to quarrel over who should help him rule

Armagnacs and Burgundians

• Rival factions at war
• Caused Henry V to seize his chance
• Won back territory from France
• When he died, he left an infant Henry VI
• Charles VI also died, leaving Charles VII

Joan of Arc comes to the fore

• English were defeated at Orleans
• She was eventually captured by the Burgundians
• Sold to the British
• Tried and executed for heresy

Towards the end...

• Philip the Good (a Burgundian) switched sides
• Previously he had been allied with the British
• Charles VII took advantage of the Wars of the Roses
• Conquered Aquitaine
• English were left with only Calais

Wars of the Roses

What was it? How did it end?

• Between 2 families with rival claims to the throne
• The Yorks (white rose) and the Lancasters (red rose)
• Killed off almost all the direct claimants to the throne
• Brought the Plantagenet line to an ignominious end
• Both sides claimed the throne through descent from Edward III

Why did they disagree in the first place?

• Henry IV (Lancaster) was king after the deposed Richard II
• Even though his cousin Clarence (York) had a better claim
• Because Henry's father, John of Gaunt was regent
• Very influential

What triggered the wars?

• Henry VI was weak and indecisive
• The Earl of Warwick spurred the York side to reassert their claims
• They made an official agreement of succession
• Margaret of Anjou (Henry's queen) abrogated the agreement

War in three phases

• First phase: longest and bloodiest, York victory
• Second phase: rebellion within York family
• Opportunity for Lancasters to regain power
• Third phase: after death of Edward IV
• Between Richard III and Henry Tudor

Phase I: Defeat and exile of Lancasters (1453-1464)

• Early victories went to the York side
• Battle of Wakefield - Duke of York killed
• Spurred Yorks on to greater efforts, they eventually won
• Edward IV was crowned King of England
• Royal family of Henry VI exiled

Phase II: Warwick's rebellion (1471)

• Warwick got disillusioned with Edward
• Various reasons
• Allied himself with George, Duke of Clarence
• To depose Edward
• Place Clarence on throne

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• Battle of Edgecote
• Edward IV was defeated and captured
• Richard III helped his brother
• Most of the nobles stayed loyal
• Clarence & Warwick were declared traitors and driven out

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• Warwick approached Margaret
• Offered to help her and the Lancasters
• Edward IV had been getting unpopular
• He fled
• Henry VI was briefly restored

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• Edward IV raised an army in Burgundy
• Lancasters defeated, Warwick killed
• Battle of Tewkesbury - Prince Henry killed
• Margaret captured
• Henry VI forced to abdicate

Phase III: Richard III vs Henry Tudor (1485)

• Edward IV died 15 years after the Battle of Barnet
• His eldest son (Edward V) was too young
• Richard III was appointed Lord Protector

Princes in the Tower

• Richard captured the Princes
• Put them in the Tower of London
• For "safekeeping"
• Accused them of being illegitimate
• They were never seen alive again

Supporters and detractors

• Richard was supported by those who disliked the Queen's family
• They wanted a strong, capable and proven leader
• He was disliked by those who felt he had usurped the throne
• And murdered his nephews

The rise of Henry Tudor

• A distant cousin on the Lancaster side
• Claim was dubious - no greater than other cousins
• Counted on Richard's enemies to assist him

Battle of Bosworth

• Richard's final battle
• Several of his generals deserted
• Some held back from battle
• Richard slain
• Henry Tudor victorious

End of the Plantagenets

• Henry was crowned Henry VII
• Married Elizabeth of York to reconcile with Yorks
• This assured York family
• Of continued influence in government
• Beginning of the Tudor dynasty