H3H03 MEDIEVAL ENGLAND 1066-1399 TUTORIAL TOPICS
09 THE HUNDRED YEARS WAR.
a) Which historians have specialised in the Hundred Years War ? How
have their views developed ? What controversy exists between them
?
b) What are the main contemporary sources for the history of the War
?
c) Analyze the primary causes of the war ? Were they (a) feudal (b)
dynastic (c) economic ?
d) How was the war financed ? What effect did the war have upon the
English constitution, particularly Parliament ?
e) How were the troops raised and organised ? What is meant by
'indentured retinues' ? What was the role of the mercenary
soldier ? What problems did this kind of army create ? What is
the significance of the Free Companies ?
f) How was the war fought ? What changes took place in strategy and
tactics ? What was the significance of the chevauche and the
siege ? Why did the war go on for so long?
g) What were the war aims of Edward III ? How far were they realised
by the terms of the Treaty of Bretigny and the Treaty of Calais
1360 ? Are we justified in thinking that Edward lost the peace ?
h) How did the conduct of the war change after 1360 ? What effect
did this have on English prospects ?
i) What were the war objectives of Henry V ? How did his policy
differ from that of Edward III ? To what extent were English war
aims satisfied by the Treaty of Troyes, 1420 ?
j) Why were the English able to win brilliant victories over the
French and to overrun the French countryside, and yet were unable
to take the kingdom of France ?
k) What were the principal consequences of the war ? Did any group
benefit from the war ?
Using the relevant volume of ENGLISH HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS find, read
and annotate the following documents:
a) Contracts for Military Service 12701
b) Edward III's manifesto for the French War 1337
c)