What were the military tactics employed during the Hundred Years War?

What were the military tactics employed during the Hundred Years War?

During the Hundred Years War, various military tactics were employed by both the English and French forces. These tactics included the use of longbowmen by the English, who were highly skilled archers capable of inflicting significant damage from a distance. The English also utilized defensive formations, such as the use of stakes and trenches, to protect their positions.

On the other hand, the French relied heavily on their heavily armored cavalry, known as knights. They employed the tactic of charging the enemy lines with their mounted knights, aiming to break through the English defenses. The French also utilized crossbowmen and infantry to support their cavalry charges.

Additionally, both sides employed siege warfare tactics, such as the use of siege towers, battering rams, and catapults, to attack and defend fortified positions. The English, under the leadership of Henry V, famously employed the tactic of the Agincourt bowmen, where they used a combination of longbows and defensive formations to defeat a larger French army at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.

Overall, the military tactics employed during the Hundred Years War were a combination of archery, cavalry charges, defensive formations, and siege warfare, with each side adapting their strategies based on the specific circumstances of the battles.