Causes of the Hundred Years' War

The Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) was an intermittent conflict fought between England and France that started when king Edward III of England (r. 1327-1377) squabbled with Philip VI of France (r. 1328-1350) over feudal rights concerning Gascony and trade with the Low Countries. Edward also asserted that he was the rightful king of France and pressed this claim by winning great victories at the battles of Crécy (1346) and Poitiers (1356). In 1360, Edward renounced his claim to the French throne in return for lordship over a quarter of France. The war then continued as each side attempted to control north and southwest France. After Charles V of France (r. 1364-1380) steadily regained much of the lands lost since the war began, there was a period of peace when Richard II of England (r. 1377-1399) married the daughter of Charles VI of France (r. 1380-1422). Henry V of England (r. 1413-1422), eager to win glory, booty, and legitimacy for his own reign, then reignited the conflict with his...