The 100 Years War

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the 100 Years War was most significant because it became the catalyst for the changing roles of peasants in Medieval Europe because, in the middle decades of the 14th century, the English attitude to war underwent a profound change. The author points out that the nobles and knights began to refuse to fight in a war, which held no value to them because of heavy financial losses and loss of life; therefore, the kings were forced to turn to their peasants to go to war instead of these well-paid knights and nobles. The paper reviews the story in Bernard Cornwell's "The Archer's Tale", which tells the tale of one peasant who goes to join the King Edward III of England's fight in 1343, which signaled the end of the age of chivalry and ushered in the age of standing armies comprised primarily of peasants.

From the Paper:

"The events immediately leading up to the 100 Years War involve a convoluted tale of royal birthright and inter-marriages. Charles IV, who was both the King of France and Navarre, died in 1328, leaving only an infant daughter who had yet to be born. In England, Charles IV's sister, Isabella, was married to King Edward II, and had forced Edward II to abdicate the throne of England in favor of their son, Edward III. As the nephew of Charles IV, Edward III was rightfully the next heir to the throne of France."

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