What is Hundred Years' War?
The Hundred Years' War (French: Guerre de Cent Ans; 1337–1453) was a long conflict between the kingdoms of England and France. It started because of disagreements over the Duchy of Aquitaine and the claim to the French throne by Edward III of England. The war grew into a larger struggle involving many countries in Western Europe, with both sides becoming more focused on nationalism. Even though it is called the Hundred Years' War, it lasted for 116 years, but the conflict was interrupted by things like the Black Death and several years of truces.[[File:Hundred years war.gif|right|thumb|300px|Time scaled map of the war.]] The Hundred Years’ War was a major conflict in the Middle Ages. During the war, five generations of kings from two rival families fought for the French throne, as France was the wealthiest and most populated kingdom in Western Europe. The war had a big impact on European history, leading to new military technologies and tactics, like [[Standing army|standing armies]] and artillery, that changed warfare forever. [[Chivalry]], which was important during the war, started to decline afterward. Stronger national identities began to grow in both France and England, which became more powerful and eventually global. The name “Hundred Years’ War” was used by historians later to describe the connected conflicts that lasted the longest in European history. The war is often divided into three parts, separated by truces: the Edwardian War (1337–1360), the Caroline War (1369–1389), and the Lancastrian War (1415–1453). Both sides had many allies. English forces were successful at first, but in the end, the French, led by the House of Valois, kept control of France. Afterward, the English and French monarchies stayed separate, although English monarchs still claimed the French throne until 1802. == Start == When the war started, France was stronger than England as it was wealthier. French knights and heavy cavalry also enjoyed a great military reputation in all of [[Christendom]]. Also, France had about 17 m