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History of France - the Hundred Years War

The Ending of the Hundred years War, 1429-1453 (Joan of Arc)

In 1428 the English laid siege to Orleans, and there seemed to be little that could prevent them continuing to take control of more territory in France. Charles was unable to take control of the situation. But then the most extraordinary person of the Hundred years War emerged - Joan of Arc.

Joan of Arc reported that she had heard God speaking to her, and that He had told her to help the forces at Orleans, and to help drive the English from France. Joan of Arc was a simple poor peasant girl, but persuaded Charles that she could help. Riding into battle in full armour, the young Joan of Arc succeeded in raising the spirits of the French troops, and they were able to lift the siege that the English had on Orleans.

This victory helped turn the tide of defeat, and supported and led by Joan of Arc, several further victories fell to the French. These victories also enabled Charles to proceed to Reims to be crowned as King of France.

Joan of Arc

Tragically, Joan of Arc was captured by the Burgundians in 1430, handed to the English, tried on charges of heresy and witchcraft, and burned at the stake in Rouen. But by this stage the English position was much weakened. Then in 1435 the Burgundians changed side - abandoning the English and signing a treaty with the King of France. From this point on, the English didn't realistically have a chance to reverse their decline.

The fighting continued, and the English won some notable victories, but slowly over several years many towns were returned to the hands of the French. The fighting continued, both in the north, and in the south in Aquitaine, until 1453. The last battle of the Hundred Years War was fought at the Battle of Castillon, in Aquitaine, in 1435, and after more than a hundred years, France was returned to the French.