History The Hundred Years War Questions
There were several reasons for the English failure in the early stages of the Hundred Years War.
Firstly, the English faced significant logistical challenges. They had to transport their troops and supplies across the English Channel, which was a difficult and costly endeavor. Additionally, the English army relied heavily on longbowmen, who required extensive training and experience to be effective in battle. This meant that the English had to invest a lot of time and resources in training their archers, which slowed down their military campaigns.
Secondly, the English faced internal political instability during this period. The reign of Edward III, who initiated the war, was followed by a series of weak and ineffective kings. This led to a lack of strong leadership and coordination within the English military, making it difficult for them to mount successful campaigns.
Thirdly, the French had a larger population and a more centralized government, which allowed them to raise larger armies and mobilize resources more effectively. The English, on the other hand, relied heavily on mercenaries, which made their military efforts less cohesive and less effective.
Lastly, the English faced resistance and guerrilla warfare tactics from the French. The French adopted a strategy of avoiding direct confrontations and instead focused on harassing the English army through hit-and-run tactics. This made it difficult for the English to gain significant territorial gains and maintain control over the areas they did capture.
Overall, the combination of logistical challenges, internal political instability, the French's superior resources and tactics, and the resistance faced by the English contributed to their failure in the early stages of the Hundred Years War.