Hundred Years' War
Topic: Medieval Europe: Feudalism and the Three Orders · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 3 "Changing Traditions"; Class 11, Ch 4 "The Three Orders"
Meaning
The Hundred Years' War was a long series of wars between England and France. The fighting was over land in France and over the English king's claim to the French throne. It is usually dated 1337–1453, though NCERT's 'The Three Orders' gives 1338–1461. The war came at the same time as famine, plague and peasant revolts. It also helped make kings in both countries stronger.
Example
In 1429, Joan of Arc, a French peasant girl, helped free the besieged town of Orléans from the English. This turned the war in France's favour, and by 1453 the English had lost almost all their lands in France.