The popular perception of the Middle Ages is of knights and castles. The knights followed a code of conduct known as chivalry. Knights were to fight fairly (unless they were facing foot soldiers). The code encouraged courage, honor, courtesy, justice, and a readiness to help the weak (if they were Read more…
Charles was a major player in the Hundred Years War. At times he sided with the English, and at other times he sided with the French. His unscrupulous machinations got him the title Charles the Bad. His death probably brought a smile to many of his enemies. According to Read more…
In 1337, the Hundred Years’ War began when British King Edward III claimed the throne of France. On July 12, 1346, he invaded Normandy with an army of 4,000 knights, 5,000 men-at-arms with spears, and 7,000 archers armed with longbows. He launched a chevauchee, which was a march through Read more…
In 1337, the Hundred Years’ War began when French King Philip IV died and English King Edward III claimed the throne. On June 24, 1340, Edward’s fleet won the first major battle of the war at the port of Sluys. Sluys was one of the biggest ports in Europe Read more…
It was the last major British victory in the Hundred Years’ War. 28 year-old King Henry V invaded France to uphold his claim to the French throne. He was supposedly provoked by a message from the French which consisted of some tennis balls. The suggestion being that he should limit Read more…
It was the first significant land battle of the Hundred Years War. The war began when British King Edward III claimed the throne of France after the death of Philip IV. Edward invaded France on July 12, 1346 after the French had threatened to take back British-held lands in France. Read more…