What long conflict (1337–1453) was fought between England and France?

The story behind the answer

The dates 1337–1453 mark a prolonged Anglo-French struggle waged over English claims to the French crown and control of lands in France. It unfolded as a series of campaigns and truces rather than continuous fighting, with iconic battles such as Crécy (1346), Poitiers (1356), and Agincourt (1415). The war concluded in 1453 when French forces expelled the English from nearly all continental holdings, leaving only Calais.

Beyond dynastic rivalry, the conflict transformed medieval Europe: the English longbow and improved artillery weakened the dominance of armored cavalry; states built stronger taxation systems and more permanent armies; and figures like Joan of Arc galvanized French resistance and identity. The Black Death and social unrest also shaped its course and consequences.