100 Years War and Babylonian Captivity of the Papacy8.5

Hundred Years War• Took place between

1337 and 1453 mostly in France

• between England and France over control of France and the crown.

• Many social changes due to the war.

The Beginning • William the Conqueror and

his descendants• Edward III (England) claimed

French throne in 1337.-legitimate claim from

his mother, Elanor• Both sides want to control

the English Channel and trade in the region

English Early Victories • Crecy (1346)• Poitiers (1356)• Agincourt (1415)• What weapon helped the British win?

Crecy • When the war started England had population of 2

million and France 14 million. • Crecy (1346): major battle fought in France. English

archers win. • French army 3x size with knights/crossbows. Longbow

slaughters French. • 1/3 of French army dead. • Importance: Chivalry losing power

Poiters and Agincourt • English archers again defeated a larger army• Flanked French and captured their king “John the

Good”. Held for ransom.• Battle of Agincourt 1415:• 6,000 vs. 20,000 • French again lose to longbows• Medieval knights lose more power

Agincourt

LongbowUsually around 6 feet long, hard to shoot.

• Training required, French didn’t want to train peasants, English did but were scared.

• Distance from 180-250 yards

• 12 arrows a minute• Seen as end to chivalry

Charles VII• The Dauphin (uncrowned king of France)• Who comes to the aid of Charles?

End of the War• Joan of Arc leads French army to victory in several

battles.• Joan captured by Burgundians and executed by

English. • Last few battles of war won by French cannon

breaking up English archers.• England only holds Calais in 1453! • Impact?• New methods of war, social changes in chivalry etc. • Battles between English nobility and kings over control

and money!

The Schism and The Babylonian Captivity of the Papacy• Division within the Roman Catholic Church• 1309 Pope Clement V moved the papal court to

Avignon. -lavish, expensive court

• 1378 – rivals to the Avignon Pope choose Pope to rule in Rome. 2 Popes!

Council of Constance• Germany, 1417• Pope Martin V moved Papal court back to Rome

for good.

Results?• Church power is weakened• Exhibits further decline• What begins to happen?• Wycliffe – claimed Bible was source of truth, not

the Church! • Hus and the Hussites(burned at the stake)