DAR ES SALAAM TUMAINI UNIVERSITY.

(DarTU)

COURSE CODE : HI 322.

SUBJECT NAME : HISTORY.

LECTURER NAME : MR HAMISI.

STUDENT NAME : MASTERIA MWAMBELEKO

REGISTRATION NUMBER : TU/DARCO/BA-ED/021/022

TYPE OF WORK : INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMRNT.

Question.

1. Discuss Hundred Years wars (1337)- 1453)

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 BACKGROUND OF THE HUNDRED YEARS’ WAR (1337-1453).

The Hundred Years’ War was a series of armed conflicts fought between the kingdoms of

England and France during the Late Middle Ages. It originated from English claims to the

French throne initially made by Edward III of England. The war grew into a broader military,

economic, and political struggle involving factions from across Western Europe, fueled by

emerging nationalism on both sides. The conflict lasted from 1337 to 1453, spanning over a

century with intermittent periods of peace and war.

The war had significant implications for European history as it involved five generations of kings

from two rival dynasties vying for control over France, which was the dominant kingdom in

Western Europe at the time. Both England and France saw innovations in military technology

and tactics emerge during this period, including the development of professional standing armies

and artillery that transformed European warfare. The concept of chivalry, which reached its peak

during the conflict, began to decline as warfare evolved.

Stronger national identities began to take root in both England and France as a result of the

Hundred Years’ War. Both kingdoms underwent centralization processes and emerged as global

powers following the conclusion of the conflict. The war is typically divided into three main

phases: the Edwardian War (1337–1360), the Caroline War (1369–1389), and the Lancastrian

War (1415–1453). Each phase saw various alliances being formed on both sides, with initial

English successes giving way to French dominance under the House of Valois.

he Hundred Years’ War was primarily caused by a series of disputes and ambitions from both

England and France. Some of the key causes include:

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1. Seizure of English-held Gascony: The conflict began when French King Philip VI

confiscated the English-held duchy of Guyenne (Gascony) in 1337, leading to tensions

between the two nations.

2. Claim by Edward III to the French Throne: Edward III of England asserted his claim

to the French crown through his mother Isabella, creating a basis for conflict over

succession rights.

3. Ambitions for Territory and Power: Both Edward III and subsequent English monarchs

sought to expand their territories in France, protect trade routes, and gain prestige through

conquests.

4. Feudal Disputes: The war was fueled by feudal disputes, with English kings vying for

control over French territories that they believed were rightfully theirs.

5. Internal Struggles in France: The descent into madness of Charles VI of France and

infighting among the French nobility weakened the country, providing opportunities for

English advances.

6. Legitimacy and Glory: Monarchs like Henry V of England aimed to legitimize their

reigns by claiming the French throne, seeking glory, wealth, and power through military

victories.

7. National Pride and Unity: The determination of figures like Charles VII of France to

unify the country and remove foreign influence also played a significant role in

continuing the conflict.

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REFERENCES.

 Wings over the Desert: In Action with an RFC pilot in Palestine, 1916–18 (2009)

 Old Puglia: A Portrait of South Eastern Italy (with Susan Mount Garret, 2009)

 The Last White Rose: The Specter at the Tudor Court, 1485–1547 (2010; aka The Last
White Rose: The Secret Wars of the Tudors).

 The Demon's Brood: A History of the Plantagenet Dynasty (2014)

 Renishaw Hall: "The Story of the Sitwell" (2015)

 The King Over the Water: A Complete History of the Jacobite (2019)

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