The Hundred Years’ War was an intermittent armed conflict fought between the Kingdom of France and the Kingdom of England. There are many underlying factors which triggered the war, including disputes over continental territories and succession to the French throne. At the beginning of this conflict, King Edward III helped the English achieve significant victories over France. However, Charles V of France managed to regain almost all lost territory by 1380 and turned the war in France’s favour. In the end, the Kingdom of England lost its continental territories except for the port city of Calais.

When Charles V died, also in 1380, both France and England had child monarchs, Richard II and Charles VI. Political struggles surrounding Richard II meant a weakened England and a major public rebellion broke out. In 1381, the Peasants’ Revolt, led by Wat Tyler, captured the Tower of London and beheaded officials. Following the fighting, Tyler was beheaded, and order was restored. Given the domestic problems, campaigns in France had to be abandoned. Between 1385 and 1387, France planned to invade England, but this mission was also abandoned. With more balanced political power emerging in both countries, truce talks became common.

In 1449, Charles VI’s successor, Charles VII, attacked what remained of English-held Guyenne, at a time when there was political turmoil in England. Though they were faced with a popular loyalty to the English crown, they conquered Guyenne in 1452, leading to more English defeats. In 1463, Louis XI, Charles VII’s son and successor, made the Truce of Saint-Omer with King of England Edward IV, and it was extended, not without difficulty, in 1466 and 1471.