History The Hundred Years War Questions Medium
During the Hundred Years War, several key military strategies were employed by both the English and the French. These strategies played a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the war.
1. Longbowmen: The English army heavily relied on the use of longbowmen, who were skilled archers capable of shooting arrows over long distances. The longbow was a powerful weapon that could penetrate armor, and the English effectively used massed formations of longbowmen to devastate enemy forces.
2. Defensive Tactics: The English often employed defensive tactics, such as fortifying their positions and utilizing castles and strongholds. This allowed them to hold strategic locations and withstand sieges, forcing the French to launch costly assaults or engage in lengthy sieges.
3. Naval Warfare: Both sides utilized naval warfare as a key strategy. The English navy, known as the Royal Navy, played a significant role in protecting English territories and disrupting French supply lines. The French, on the other hand, employed naval forces to launch attacks on English coastal areas and support their land campaigns.
4. Siege Warfare: Siege warfare was a common strategy employed by both sides during the Hundred Years War. Castles and fortified towns were crucial targets, and both the English and the French invested heavily in siege equipment and tactics. The use of trebuchets, battering rams, and mining techniques were employed to breach enemy defenses and capture strategic locations.
5. Cavalry Charges: The French heavily relied on their cavalry, particularly knights, to launch devastating charges against the English forces. These charges aimed to break the English formations and create chaos on the battlefield. The French knights were renowned for their heavy armor and superior horsemanship, which gave them a significant advantage in close combat.
6. Guerrilla Warfare: As the war progressed, both sides resorted to guerrilla warfare tactics. Small bands of soldiers, known as free companies, were hired by both the English and the French to conduct raids, ambushes, and harass enemy supply lines. These tactics aimed to disrupt the enemy's operations and weaken their overall military strength.
Overall, the key military strategies employed during the Hundred Years War included the effective use of longbowmen, defensive tactics, naval warfare, siege warfare, cavalry charges, and guerrilla warfare. These strategies played a crucial role in determining the outcome of battles and shaping the overall course of the war.