> The Hundred Years' War was a series of conflicts between England and which otherkingdom?And the answer: France. Despite its name, the Hundred Years' War actually lasted for 116 yearsthroughout the 14th and 15th centuries. It began with disputed claims to theFrench throne, but eventually expanded across Western Europe, leaving a longimpact on European history.Photo credit: © Everett Historical/Shutterstock.com.In 1337, Edward III was upto no good. The English king captured French lands and, upon declaring himselfrightful heir to the throne, consequently incited a war that outlivedgenerations. In 1340, the first of sixty major battles took place between theneighboring kingdoms: the Battle of Sluys. This conflict marked the firstBritish win of the war, in a startling upset to the dominant and organizedpowers of France. Theoretically, the French kings possessed the financial and military resourcesof the most populous and powerful state in western Europe, therefore holding theadvantage over the smaller, more sparsely populated English kingdom. However,the English army was extremely disciplined (not to mention well-trained atlong-bow) and held fast against the French cavalry. Ultimately, the Englishmilitary proved repeatedly victorious over much larger French forces.Some hundred years later, though, it was the young and unsuspecting Joan of Arcwho brought the warring countries to peace. After her expedition (whichultimately saved France), Philip the Good, the Duke of Burgundy, openednegotiations in 1432 with the French king Charles VII. Years later, the Treatyof Arras terminated the civil war – an act which began a series of deescalationtreaties that marked the end of the war. Learn more about the Hundred Years' War below.