What were the key events leading to the outbreak of the Hundred Years War?

The Hundred Years War was a conflict between England and France that lasted from 1337 to 1453. Several key events led to the outbreak of this war:

1. Succession Crisis: The death of Charles IV of France in 1328 without a male heir led to a succession crisis. Edward III of England, who was Charles IV's nephew, claimed the French crown through his mother, Isabella, who was Charles IV's sister. However, the French nobility rejected Edward's claim and instead crowned Philip VI as the new king of France.

2. English Territories in France: Prior to the war, the English kings held significant territories in France, including Gascony, Normandy, and Aquitaine. These territories were technically vassal states of the French crown, but the English kings enjoyed a great deal of autonomy and control over them. However, Philip VI sought to assert his authority over these territories, leading to tensions between England and France.

3. Flanders Crisis: Flanders, a prosperous region in present-day Belgium, was a major center of the wool trade and had close economic ties with England. When Philip VI imposed trade restrictions on Flanders, the English saw this as an attack on their economic interests. Edward III responded by supporting the Flemish rebels against French control, further escalating tensions between the two countries.

4. Battle of Sluys: In 1340, the English navy achieved a significant victory over the French fleet at the Battle of Sluys. This naval victory established English dominance at sea and allowed them to launch raids along the French coast, weakening French morale and further fueling the conflict.

5. Battle of Crécy: In 1346, the English army, led by Edward III, won a decisive victory over the French at the Battle of Crécy. This battle showcased the effectiveness of the English longbow and highlighted the weaknesses of the French feudal cavalry. The English victory at Crécy further emboldened their ambitions in France.

These key events, along with other political, economic, and territorial disputes, ultimately led to the outbreak of the Hundred Years War. The war would continue for over a century, with periods of intense fighting and temporary truces, before finally ending in 1453 with the French reclaiming most of their territories from the English.