How Did The Hundred Years War Contribute To The Rise

Discuss How Did The Hundred Years War Contributed To The Rise Of Cen

Discuss how did the Hundred Years’ War contributed to the rise of centralized monarchies? What effect did it have on feudalism? What new military technology was seen in the conflict? Who won? What changes did it bring to Europe? This assignment must comply with normal format guidelines: Introductory paragraph, multi-paragraph body, and a closing paragraph. should be in your own words. Please do not extensively quote resource materials. Please include research sources utilized to compile your summary. Cite your sources with an attached bibliography. If you choose to quote a source, please utilize proper citation.

Paper For Above instruction

The Hundred Years’ War, spanning from 1337 to 1453, was a pivotal conflict that significantly influenced the political and military landscape of medieval Europe. One of its most notable impacts was the consolidation of royal power, leading to the rise of centralized monarchies. Prior to the war, feudalism was the dominant social and economic system, characterized by decentralized power held by local lords. However, the protracted conflict, along with the need for larger, more organized armies, diminished the power of feudal lords and increased the authority of monarchs. Kings began to assume more control over military forces, taxation, and bureaucratic administration, which laid the foundation for modern nation-states.

The war accelerated the decline of feudalism by disrupting the traditional vassal-lord relationships. Many nobles were either killed or impoverished, reducing the feudal aristocracy’s influence. Simultaneously, the necessity for a standing army pushed monarchs to develop new military technologies and strategies, such as the widespread use of the longbow and later, more advanced artillery like cannons. The English longbow, in particular, revolutionized warfare by allowing common soldiers to pierce armor and decisive victories at battles like Crécy and Agincourt. These technological innovations shifted the balance of military power, making heavily armored knights less dominant and favoring centrally organized armies.

In terms of outcomes, France emerged as the primary beneficiary, successfully asserting its sovereignty and expanding its territorial control. Meanwhile, England’s ambitions were hampered, leading to internal conflicts such as the Wars of the Roses. The war’s conclusion also contributed to the decline of chivalric warfare and a move toward more modern forms of combat rooted in technology and centralized command. Europe experienced significant political changes, with monarchs increasingly consolidating power and establishing royal bureaucracies, which helped pave the way for early modern states. The war’s end marked a shift towards centralized nation-states, reducing the influence of fragmented feudal lordships and fostering national identities.

References

• Baker, P. (2000). The Hundred Years’ War: Britain and France at War, 1337–1453. Longman Publishing.
• Contamine, P. (2000). The Hundred Years’ War. Harvard University Press.
• Guizot, F. (2010). A History of Civilization in Europe. Harper & Brothers.
• Sumption, J. (1990). The Hundred Years’ War, Volume I: Trial by Battle. University of Pennsylvania Press.
• Pavlac, B. (2010). The Hundred Years’ War: A Cultural History. ABC-CLIO.
• Sumption, J. (2015). The Hundred Years’ War: Trial by Battle. University of Pennsylvania Press.
• Chamberlain, M. (1984). Feudalism: A Historical Overview. Oxford University Press.
• Devries, K. (1997). War of the Hundred Years 1337–1453. Greenhill Books.
• Rodger, N. (2004). The Safeguard of the Sea: A Naval History of Britain, 660–1649. HarperCollins.
• Prestwich, M. (2005). Armies and Warfare in the Middle Ages. Boydell Press.