Was the Hundred Years’ War Really a Hundred Years of Fighting?

Even though it’s called the Hundred Years’ War, the name is a bit misleading. The conflict between England and France lasted from 1337 to 1453, but they weren’t fighting the whole time. In fact, they were only at war on and off, because full-scale battles and long campaigns were just too expensive to keep going constantly.

The main reason for the conflict was that the kings of England wanted to keep their lands and feudal rights in France. Back then, English rulers still had territories across the Channel, and they didn’t want to give them up. But the war wasn’t just about land and power—it also gave English nobles a chance to get rich from loot and ransoms taken during battles.

For England, the war helped shape a strong sense of national pride. Victories at famous battles like Crécy and Agincourt became legendary and helped build a feeling of English identity. It also made the English people deeply suspicious of the French for a long time afterward.

For France, the war was just as important. It helped the king gain more control over the country by reducing the power of feudal lords and making people from different regions—like Normandy, Picardy, and Gascony—feel more like they were all part of one nation. One of the biggest symbols of French unity and courage during the war was Joan of Arc, a young peasant girl who became a national hero.

There were some lasting effects as well. The English captured Calais, a city they held for about 200 years, which helped them trade with nearby Flanders. But in the end, England lost most of its land in France. By 1500, almost all ties to French territory were gone.

After the war ended in 1453, the French kings had a much easier time unifying their kingdom and building a strong central government, without having to worry about English interference.

So, while the Hundred Years’ War wasn’t one long battle, it was a key chapter in the story of how both England and France became modern nations.