ABSTRACT
The long-term causes of ‘the Hundred Years War’ (a description for the conflicts traditionally covering the years 1337-1453) lay in the claims of the king of France, following the treaty of Paris (1259), to sovereignty over the duchy of Guyenne (or Aquitaine), then held by his liege vassal, the king of England. Difficulties in implementing this complex treaty and subsidiary agreements (Amiens, 1279; Paris, 1303), allied to a more precise definition of sovereign rights, provoked conflict. In 1294 Philip IV declared Guyenne forfeit and invaded the duchy. Although peace was soon restored and diplomats tried to resolve the long-standing problems, these efforts failed as both sides became entrenched in their positions. In 1324 Guyenne was again confiscated and, although peace was agreed in 1327, the French handed back a diminished duchy (holding on to the Agenais) and demanded reparations. Nor was tension subsequently eased by the Process of Agen (1332). By now other causes intensified ill-feeling. The French alliance with Scotland, first formed in 1295, was renewed and resulted in French intervention in support of David Bruce and a series of English invasions of Scotland between 1332 and 1337. There was rivalry for allies in the Netherlands, where economic factors were important because of the staple Anglo-Flemish wool trade. At sea piracy and naval activities connected with French crusading plans further exacerbated bad relations.
