The Hundred Years’ War: A Dynastic Struggle for the French Crown

The Hundred Years’ War (1337–1453) was a prolonged conflict between two royal houses—the House of Valois and the House of Plantagenet—over the French throne, which became vacant following the extinction of the senior Capetian line in 1328. The dispute arose from competing claims:

• The Valois claim, backed by the French nobility, upheld Philip VI of France as the rightful successor under Salic Law, which barred succession through the female line.
• The Plantagenet claim, asserted by Edward III of England, was based on his descent from Isabella of France, daughter of Philip IV, though Salic Law rendered this claim invalid in French legal tradition.

The Rival Houses and Their Claims

The House of Valois, a cadet branch of the Capetians, ruled France from 1328 onward, while the Plantagenets, rulers of England since the 12th century, also styled themselves Kings of France, contesting Valois rule.

The Plantagenets—also known as the House of Anjou—had deep roots in French territories, particularly Anjou, Normandy, and Aquitaine. Since the time of the Angevin Empire, English kings had maintained extensive landholdings in France, which were steadily eroded by Capetian expansion. However, even in the 14th century, the Plantagenets still controlled Gascony (Aquitaine), a critical source of wealth and military support.

French Soldiers on Both Sides

While the war is often framed as a struggle between England and France, French soldiers fought on both sides, as the kingdom itself was deeply divided:

• The Duchy of Burgundy frequently supported the Plantagenet cause, particularly after the assassination of John the Fearless in 1419, aligning with England in the Anglo-Burgundian alliance.
• Aquitaine, traditionally loyal to the Plantagenets, remained a stronghold of English power for much of the war, with local nobility and towns supporting English rule.

The Hundred Years’ War was not merely a dynastic dispute, but a conflict that shaped the political, military, and national identities of both France and England, leading to the eventual rise of strong centralized monarchies in both realms.