The Hundred Years’ War (1337–1453) was a protracted conflict between the Kingdoms of England and France that fundamentally shaped medieval European politics, warfare, and culture. It was not only a war of armies and battles but also a war fought in courts and palaces, where kings, queens, nobles, and their retainers exerted power and influence. Royal palaces during this turbulent era were much more than just grand residences — they were centers of political authority, military command, cultural patronage, and propaganda.

This article explores the history, architecture, and significance of royal palaces in both England and France throughout the Hundred Years’ War. It examines how these palaces reflected the shifting fortunes of war, the evolving nature of monarchy, and the broader historical changes of the late medieval period.

Overview of the Hundred Years’ War

The Hundred Years’ War was a series of intermittent conflicts lasting over a century, rooted in complex dynastic claims and territorial disputes. It began when King Edward III of England claimed the French crown through his mother, a daughter of King Philip IV of France, contesting the accession of the French Valois dynasty. The conflict included famous battles such as Crécy (1346), Poitiers (1356), and Agincourt (1415), and figures like Edward, the Black Prince, Henry V, and Joan of Arc.

The war profoundly affected the social, political, and military landscape of both kingdoms. But alongside the battlefield, the royal palaces of England and France stood as vital symbols of sovereignty and centers of power. Their architecture, use, and status evolved alongside the conflict. shutdown123