The 14th century was disastrous for Britain, population died of plague

In the 1330s England began a long struggle against French Crown - exhausting economically.

Increased the political strength of the merchants and gentry

A new class of armed men in the countryside

Weakened respect for the crown and encouraged repeated struggles

Scots turned to the King of France è "Auld Alliance" lasted into the sixteenth century

Whenever England attacked one of them, the other would make trouble behind England's back.

Edward III declared war on France in 1337, he claimed the right to the French Crown. è "Hundred Years War". England losing all its possessions in France except for Calais

English army was experienced – Welsh longbow, quick rate of fire

Crécy 1346, Poitiers 1356, French king bought his freedom for £500.000

Calais, Cherbourg, Brest, Bordeaux and Bayonne were taken back by French forces during the next fifteen years.

Edward III + eldest son the Black Prince - symbols of the "code of chivalry": if insulted, served God and the king, and defended any la

Land was no longer allowed to rest one year in three è over-used.

First books: Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and Mallory's Morte d'Arthur.

Some topics in this essay:
Black Death, Aberdeen Government, Women Obey, Edward III, Becket Canterbury, Lords Commons, French Crown, VI Lancastrian, Calais English, French Honi, henry vi, edward iii, son henry, john gaunt, middle class, richard iii, english army, son edward, french crown, hundred war,