How England Nearly Conquered France & Why They Failed
05/02/25 • 60 min
The Hundred Years' War shaped medieval Europe's political landscape for over a century—but what really caused this epic conflict between England and France? In this illuminating conversation, former UK Supreme Court Justice and acclaimed medieval historian Lord Jonathan Sumption cuts through myths and misconceptions to reveal the war's true origins.
Contrary to popular belief, the war didn't begin as a simple grab for the French crown. Instead, it stemmed from a complex constitutional crisis when French kings began centralizing power over previously semi-independent territories held by English monarchs. As Lord Sumption explains, "The kings of England decided that the only way they could retain their independence as dukes of Aquitaine was to cast off the sovereignty of the French crown."
The discussion explores how England, despite being smaller and less wealthy, repeatedly triumphed on the battlefield through technological advantages like the deadly longbow and tactical innovations such as dismounted combat. We examine Parliament's crucial role in war financing and how devastating chevauchées (mounted raids) terrorized the French countryside for decades.
Perhaps most fascinating is Lord Sumption's analysis of Joan of Arc's extraordinary impact. Through "an insane degree of courage," this remarkable figure transformed French morale and fulfilled a prophecy about France's redemption by a spotless virgin. Her push for Charles VII's coronation at Reims proved pivotal in convincing French subjects of his divine right to rule.
The war's conclusion came not through a single decisive battle but through French administrative reorganization, standing armies, and Burgundy's crucial defection from the English alliance. As Lord Sumption observes, even exceptional leaders like Henry V ultimately could not overcome resource disparities—reminding us that in warfare, available resources ultimately determine outcomes.
The Hundred Years' War shaped medieval Europe's political landscape for over a century—but what really caused this epic conflict between England and France? In this illuminating conversation, former UK Supreme Court Justice and acclaimed medieval historian Lord Jonathan Sumption cuts through myths and misconceptions to reveal the war's true origins.
Contrary to popular belief, the war didn't begin as a simple grab for the French crown. Instead, it stemmed from a complex constitutional crisis when French kings began centralizing power over previously semi-independent territories held by English monarchs. As Lord Sumption explains, "The kings of England decided that the only way they could retain their independence as dukes of Aquitaine was to cast off the sovereignty of the French crown."
The discussion explores how England, despite being smaller and less wealthy, repeatedly triumphed on the battlefield through technological advantages like the deadly longbow and tactical innovations such as dismounted combat. We examine Parliament's crucial role in war financing and how devastating chevauchées (mounted raids) terrorized the French countryside for decades.
Perhaps most fascinating is Lord Sumption's analysis of Joan of Arc's extraordinary impact. Through "an insane degree of courage," this remarkable figure transformed French morale and fulfilled a prophecy about France's redemption by a spotless virgin. Her push for Charles VII's coronation at Reims proved pivotal in convincing French subjects of his divine right to rule.
The war's conclusion came not through a single decisive battle but through French administrative reorganization, standing armies, and Burgundy's crucial defection from the English alliance. As Lord Sumption observes, even exceptional leaders like Henry V ultimately could not overcome resource disparities—reminding us that in warfare, available resources ultimately determine outcomes.
Previous Episode
Imperial Twilight: How Trade, Tea, and Opium Led to War
The story of the Opium War is one of history's most consequential yet widely misunderstood conflicts. Professor Stephen Platt joined me to unravel the fascinating web of events that led Britain and China into a collision that would reshape Asia and the global balance of power for centuries to come.
Far from being a simple tale of drug dealers backed by imperial force, Stephen reveals cultural misunderstandings, diplomatic failures, and economic pressures eventually converging with devastating consequences. We talked about the Canton trading system where all Western trade was restricted to a tiny compound "smaller than the footprint of one of the pyramids in Egypt," and how Britain's insatiable appetite for tea created a massive trade imbalance that would eventually be filled by opium.
The conversation takes us through extraordinary attempts at cross-cultural communication, from James Flint (the only Englishman alive who could speak Chinese in 1759) to the disastrous McCartney Embassy where diplomatic relations collapsed over the kowtow ritual. Stephen explained how a panicking British captain effectively made Queen Victoria "the largest holder of opium in the world" by buying merchants' illegal drugs on the government's behalf—a fateful decision that created the legal pretext for war.
Perhaps most surprising is how fiercely contested this war was within Britain itself, with Parliament nearly voting to end the conflict by a margin of just five votes. The Times of London coined the term "Opium War" specifically to shame the government for fighting on behalf of drug dealers.
Join us for this exploration of a pivotal moment when two civilizations, each convinced of their own superiority, failed to understand one another with consequences that continue to echo in our time.
Stephen's book Imperial Twilight concentrates on the causes of the war more than the war itself. And in particular the people at the heart of it all. Utterly brilliant stuff.
Subject to Change - How England Nearly Conquered France & Why They Failed
Transcript
Hello and welcome to Subject to Change with me , russell Hogg . My guest today is Lord Jonathan Sumption .
RussellLord Sumption is best known as one of the UK's leading judges . He was a member of the Supreme Court , from which he retired in 2018 , but he started his career as an historian specialising in medieval history ,
Russell<If you like this episode you’ll love
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