What were the roles of Edward III and Henry V in the Hundred Years War?

What were the roles of Edward III and Henry V in the Hundred Years War?

Edward III and Henry V played significant roles in the Hundred Years War, both as English monarchs who led their country in various military campaigns against the French.

Edward III, who reigned from 1327 to 1377, initially claimed the French crown as his own, which was one of the main causes of the war. He launched several military campaigns in France, including the famous Battle of Crécy in 1346, where the English longbowmen played a crucial role in securing a decisive victory. Edward III also established the Order of the Garter, a prestigious chivalric order, during the war.

Henry V, who ruled from 1413 to 1422, is best known for his victory at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. This battle was a remarkable English triumph against overwhelming odds, where Henry's skilled leadership and the effective use of longbowmen once again proved decisive. Following this victory, Henry V gained control over large parts of northern France and even married the French princess, Catherine of Valois, in 1420.

Both Edward III and Henry V demonstrated strong military leadership and strategic prowess during the Hundred Years War. Their successes on the battlefield significantly impacted the course of the war and strengthened England's position in the conflict. However, despite their achievements, the war ultimately ended inconclusively, with the English losing most of their French territories in subsequent years.