The early 14th century in Europe was marked by intense economic prosperity in two key regions: Aquitaine and Flanders. These regions were not only the wealthiest parts of the continent but also the epicenters of growing tensions that eventually ignited one of the longest and most consequential conflicts in medieval history—the Hundred Years’ War. This article explores the complex interplay of economic interests, political claims, and military confrontations that set the stage for this prolonged conflict between England and France, focusing on the initial causes, key events, and their profound cultural and historical impact.

Economic Powerhouses in Medieval Europe: Aquitaine and Flanders

By the 14th century, Aquitaine and Flanders stood out as Europe’s richest territories, each thriving on unique industries and trade connections that made them indispensable to broader continental dynamics.

Aquitaine, nestled in what is now southwestern France, was renowned for its production of Bordeaux wine and salt, commodities that fueled a vibrant maritime trade network extending to Spain. This region was under the control of the English crown, notably through the possession of the English kings following the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to Henry II of England in the 12th century. Despite being formally a French fief, Aquitaine’s political allegiance to England created a persistent source of friction with the French monarchy.

Flanders, by contrast, was the burgeoning heart of the European textile industry. Its thriving cities, especially Ghent, depended heavily on English wool, which was processed into some of the finest cloth in Europe. The region’s economic vitality attracted investments from Italian financiers and fostered close commercial ties with England, especially London. However, politically, Flanders was a French possession, governed by French-appointed counts. This situation bred tensions, as the Flemish merchant class and urban elites resented French interference and leaned toward English influence to protect their economic interests.

Political Tensions and the Seeds of Conflict

The dual control of these lucrative regions by the English and French crowns sowed the seeds of conflict. The English kings held Aquitaine but recognized the French king as their suzerain, a relationship fraught with ambiguity and resentment. Meanwhile, the Flemish cities’ dependence on English wool and economic links made them resistant to French attempts to impose direct rule and taxation.

The situation was exacerbated by the ambitions of two pivotal monarchs: Edward III of England and Philip VI of France. Edward III, ascending to the English throne in 1327, inherited claims over Aquitaine and sought to consolidate English influence in the region. Philip VI, the first king from the Valois line, was determined to assert French authority over all its territories, including Aquitaine and Flanders.

Throughout the 1320s and early 1330s, skirmishes and disputes became routine. Fishermen clashed over fishing rights, merchants contested trade privileges, and nobles jostled for control. These incidents, trivial in isolation, cumulatively heightened animosities. By 1337, Philip VI felt confident enough to escalate the conflict, launching raids into Aquitaine to test Edward’s resolve and military capacity.

The Outbreak of War: Edward III’s Claim to the French Throne

The immediate spark of the conflict was Edward III’s bold claim to the French crown. The French monarchy followed Salic law, which precluded inheritance through the female line. Edward’s claim came through his mother, Isabella of France, daughter of Philip IV, making his claim contentious. When Philip VI ascended the French throne in 1328, Edward did homage for Aquitaine but withheld recognition of Philip as king of France.

Tensions culminated in 1337 when Philip VI formally confiscated Aquitaine, accusing Edward of failing his feudal duties. In response, Edward asserted his own claim to the French crown, effectively challenging Philip’s legitimacy and setting both kingdoms on a collision course.

This move appeared audacious given the demographics and resources of the two kingdoms. England had approximately 3 million subjects, far fewer than France’s estimated 15 million. France could muster a formidable army, while England’s military strength was geographically concentrated in the south, with Scotland to the north and Ireland and Wales only recently integrated. England’s economy was vibrant in agriculture and maritime trade but lacked the industrial and commercial scale of the continent.

However, Edward’s diplomatic acumen secured crucial allies. He cultivated support from the Flemish cities, whose economic interests aligned with England. The Flemings, resentful of Philip’s heavy-handed rule and taxation, viewed Edward as a protector of their autonomy and commerce. Additionally, Edward backed Scotland’s resistance against English overlordship, using the northern kingdom as a strategic distraction for France.

The Flemish Revolt and the Expansion of the Conflict

Flanders became a hotspot of rebellion in the early 1340s. The region’s citizens, particularly the wool merchants of Ghent led by the commander Jacques de Artevelde, revolted against French-appointed officials and oppressive taxation. After the French defeat at the Battle of Cassel in 1328, Flemish resentment simmered, fueled by economic hardship and political repression.

The English crown capitalized on this unrest, threatening to cut off wool supplies to France and openly supporting Flemish autonomy. In 1339, the Flemish acknowledged Edward III as their sovereign, directly challenging French authority. This alliance provided England with a vital foothold on the continent.

Simultaneously, Brittany emerged as a third flashpoint. The death of Duke John III in 1341 without an heir led to a succession crisis. Two claimants vied for the duchy: Charles of Blois, backed by Philip VI, and John of Montfort, supported by Edward III. Montfort seized the duchy by force but was soon ousted by Charles with French military aid. This conflict opened a third front in the growing Anglo-French hostilities.

Edward, infuriated by these developments, launched a military expedition to Brittany in 1342, aiming to secure Montfort’s position and extend English influence.

Early English Naval and Military Successes

The initial years of the war saw notable English successes, especially at sea. Edward gathered allies including German princes such as Ludwig of Bavaria and assembled a fleet to challenge French naval dominance. In 1340, at the Battle of Sluys , Edward decisively defeated and destroyed the combined French-Castilian fleet poised to invade England.

This victory secured English control of the English Channel, enabling the transport of troops and supplies to the continent and preventing French incursions into England. Edward proclaimed himself “King of the Seas,” a significant morale boost for the English cause.

On land, the English benefited from their Flemish allies, who provided indispensable infantry support and logistical aid. Control of the Channel and Flemish backing allowed Edward to launch campaigns deep into French territory.

The Battle of Crécy: A Catastrophic Defeat for the French Knightly Class

The year 1346 marked a turning point with the Battle of Crécy. The English army, bolstered by Welsh longbowmen and Flemish infantry, engaged the French force led by Philip VI. The French relied heavily on their traditional knightly cavalry, which proved disastrously ineffective against the English defensive positions and the devastating volleys of longbow fire.

The battle resulted in a catastrophic defeat for the French nobility. Hundreds of French knights and nobles were killed, including many of the king’s closest companions. This loss not only shattered French morale but also exposed vulnerabilities in the medieval chivalric military model.

Following Crécy, Edward besieged and captured Calais, a strategic port city that became an English stronghold for over two centuries. The fall of Calais was a severe blow to French prestige and economic interests, especially for Flanders, which relied on the port for trade.

The Black Death and Its Devastating Impact on France

Compounding France’s military setbacks was the outbreak of the Black Death in the late 1340s. This plague swept through Europe, causing unprecedented mortality. France, densely populated and stretched thin by war, suffered catastrophic losses.

The epidemic decimated the population, including soldiers, peasants, and urban dwellers, further weakening France’s ability to sustain prolonged military campaigns. The social and economic disruption fueled unrest and undermined feudal structures, complicating Philip VI’s efforts to rally his kingdom against England.

Cultural and Historical Legacy of the Early Hundred Years’ War

The events of the 1330s and 1340s set the stage for a protracted struggle that would last over a century, profoundly shaping the history of both England and France.

The war accelerated the decline of feudalism and the rise of more centralized national monarchies. England developed a professional army and pioneered the use of longbowmen, which challenged the dominance of heavily armored knights. France, though initially humiliated, eventually reformed its military and administration.

Culturally, the conflict fostered emerging national identities. English and French populations increasingly saw themselves as distinct peoples, partly through the shared experience of war and rivalry. The war also influenced literature, art, and the collective memory of both nations, inspiring works such as the chronicles of Jean Froissart and, centuries later, Shakespearean historical dramas.

Economically, the war disrupted trade and agriculture but also stimulated technological innovations in warfare, logistics, and administration. The alliances formed, particularly between England and the Flemish cities, underscored the growing importance of urban merchant classes in medieval politics.

Conclusion: The Crucible of Medieval Europe

The early years of the Hundred Years’ War were marked by a collision of economic interests, dynastic claims, and military innovation. The contest for control over Aquitaine, Flanders, and Brittany ignited a conflict that would reshape medieval Europe.

Edward III’s audacious claim to the French crown, the Flemish revolt, the Battle of Crécy, and the devastating Black Death collectively transformed the political landscape. These events not only defined the trajectory of English and French relations but also laid groundwork for modern concepts of nationhood, warfare, and governance.

Understanding these formative decades offers rich insights into the complexities of medieval power struggles and the profound ways in which economic and political ambitions can ignite enduring conflicts.