EPISODE · Apr 20, 2026 · 5 MIN
Hundred Years' War - Part 1: The Storm Gathers
from The Conflict Archive: The Wars That Shaped Civilizations
A kingdom’s fate balanced on a knife’s edge. Imagine the tension, the whisper of banners in the wind, as two nations stare across a narrow channel—both convinced they alone deserve the crown. The air is sharp with the scent of salt and something more dangerous: ambition.In the early years of the fourteenth century, Western Europe is a tapestry unraveling at the seams. England and France, bound by bloodlines and rivalries, hover on the brink of disaster. The kings of England still hold vast territories in France—places like Aquitaine and Gascony. Every acre is a reminder of ancient conquest and an open wound for French pride. When Charles the Fourth of France dies in thirteen twenty-eight, leaving no male heir, the question of succession becomes a spark in a room filled with gunpowder. Edward the Third of England, grandson of the French king through his mother Isabella, claims the throne. But the French barons refuse him, pointing to Salic Law—a rule that bars inheritance through the female line. Instead, Philip the Sixth is crowned, chosen by his peers and determined to restore every inch of French soil.Learn more at: https://theconflictarchive.com/conflict/hundred-years-warThe Conflict Archive is a historical documentary series examining the wars and campaigns that shaped civilizations across time.Explore more at:https://theconflictarchive.comIf you enjoy this series, consider supporting our work:https://patreon.com/jonkaiHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Hundred Years' War - Part 1: The Storm Gathers
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