Introduction
You are a royal scribe at the court of King Edward III in 14th-century London. The kingdom is restless—nobles whisper of lost lands in France, merchants mourn closed trade routes, and refugees from Normandy fill the streets with tales of burning villages. Your master, the keeper of the royal archives, commands you to compile an official chronicle for the king's library. You must investigate: did the Hundred Years' War bring England glory or ruin? Study the causes, the great battles, and the consequences, then record the truth on parchment for future generations.
Task
Write an official chronicle entry (250–300 words) for the royal archives answering this question: "Was the Hundred Years' War a necessary defence of English honour or a costly failure?" Your chronicle must include:
- eyewitness accounts from at least two contemporary chroniclers
- specific facts about at least two major battles
- your clear judgement supported by historical evidence
Process
Step 1: The Origins – Why Did War Begin?
Study the causes of the conflict in the royal chronicles.
https://wwwencyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/List+of+Hundred+Years%27+War+battles
Find answers to:
- What dynastic dispute triggered the war? (Consider Edward III's claim to the French throne through his mother Isabella, sister of King Charles IV)
- How did the Norman Conquest of 1066 create tensions lasting for centuries?
- What territories in France did England still control in 1337, and why did King Philip VI confiscate them?
Key terms to copy into your glossary: Salic Law, homage, fief, Gascony, Plantagenet.
Step 2: The Battles – Triumph and Disaster
Examine the major engagements that shaped the war. Use the chronicles of Jean Froissart, a contemporary historian who recorded these events firsthand.
Battle of Crécy (1346) – English Victory
Read Froissart's account of the battle. Find answers to:
- How did the English longbow defeat the French cavalry? What happened to the Genoese crossbowmen?
- What was the fate of the blind King John of Bohemia, who fought alongside the French?
Copy this image of the Battle of Crécy from an illuminated manuscript (embed to be inserted).
Battle of Poitiers (1356) – English Victory
Read Froissart's description of the capture of King John II of France. Find answers to:
- How was the French king captured in the press of battle?
- What did the French king say to the knights who argued over who had captured him?
Copy this image of the Battle of Poitiers from a manuscript (embed to be inserted).
The End of the War (1453)
Read about the final phase of the conflict. Find answers to:
- Why did England lose most of its French territories by 1453? (Hint: think about gunpowder and cannon)
- What did the defeat mean for the English crown?
Step 3: Voices from the Past – Eyewitness Testimony
Copy these two contrasting accounts from contemporary chroniclers into your manuscript:
Chronicler A – Jean Froissart (writing for an English audience): "The Englishmen, who were in three battles lying on the ground to rest them, as soon as they saw the Frenchmen approach, they rose upon their feet fair and easily without any haste and arranged their battles... The English archers stept forth one pace and let fly their arrows so wholly and so thick, that it seemed snow."
Chronicler B – Jean Le Bel (a canon who fought with Edward III): Edward was a "gallant and noble king", but Le Bel tells the notorious story of his supposed rape of the countess of Salisbury because he believed it to be true, puzzled and shocked though he was by his material. He writes "as close to the truth as I could, according to what I personally have seen and remembered, and also what I have heard from those who were there."
Choose one side. Write 4 sentences defending this position using facts from Step 2.
Step 4: Consequences – What Did England Gain and Lose?
Analyse the long-term impact of the war on the English crown.
| English Gains | English Losses |
|---|---|
| (What did England gain during the war?) | (What did England lose by 1453?) |
| 1. ... | 1. ... |
| 2. ... | 2. ... |
Reflection for the scribe: How did defeat in France contribute to the Wars of the Roses in England?
Step 5: Write Your Chronicle
Use this structure for your official manuscript:
- Initial letter with decoration – Create an impressive opening
- Opening paragraph – State your main judgement
- Two body paragraphs – Include evidence from battles and quotes from chroniclers
- Conclusion – Answer the question directly: was this war justified or a failure?
Evaluation
Evaluation
| Criterion | Excellent (4) | Good (3) | Developing (2) | Beginning (1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence from sources | 4+ specific facts with references | 3 facts with references | 2 facts mentioned | 1 or no correct facts |
| Use of chronicle quotes | 2 integrated quotes | 1 integrated quote | Quote mentioned but not integrated | No quotes |
| Argument clarity | Clear position with balanced historical analysis | Clear but one-sided position | Position unclear | No position stated |
| Historical accuracy | All dates and events accurate | 1-2 minor errors | Several factual errors | Major errors |
| Chronicle style | Authentic medieval scribal style | Partially stylised | Modern language | No stylisation |
| Word count | 250-300 words | 220-249 or 301-330 | 180-219 |
Conclusion
You have journeyed from the fields of Crécy to the walls of Calais, copying the testimonies of victory and defeat. The Hundred Years' War lasted 116 years, transforming both England and France. England began as a near-equal rival; it ended with only Calais in its possession. Yet the war also forged English identity—the longbow, the victories of Crécy and Poitiers, and the memory of losses became part of the nation's story, recorded in chronicles that survive to this day.