Anglo-French Wars Facts for Kids

The Anglo-French Wars were a long series of conflicts between the Kingdom of England (and later the United Kingdom) and the Kingdom of France (and later the French Republic). These wars happened over many centuries, from the Middle Ages all the way into the modern age. They show a big rivalry that shaped the history of both countries.

A Long Rivalry: The Anglo-French Wars
- Wars in the Middle Ages
  - Early Conflicts (High Middle Ages)
  - The Hundred Years' War (Late Middle Ages)
- Conflicts in the Modern Era
Times of Tension: Near-Wars
See also

A Long Rivalry: The Anglo-French Wars

For hundreds of years, England (and then Britain) and France were often at war. These conflicts were about land, power, and who would be the strongest nation in Europe. They involved kings, queens, and armies fighting across continents and oceans.

Wars in the Middle Ages

Many of the earliest wars between England and France happened during the Middle Ages. These often involved English kings who also ruled parts of France.

Early Conflicts (High Middle Ages)

Anglo-French War (1109–1113): This was one of the first big fights between the Capetian dynasty of France and the House of Normandy (who ruled England after the Norman Conquest).
Anglo-French War (1116–1119): This war was about England keeping control of Normandy, a region in France. A famous battle during this time was the Battle of Brémule.
Anglo-French War (1123–1135): This conflict eventually became part of a civil war in England known as The Anarchy.
Anglo-French War (1158–1189): This marked the start of conflicts between the French Capetian kings and the House of Plantagenet, who were English kings with large landholdings in France.
Anglo-French War (1193–1199): This was a major struggle between the famous English king King Richard the Lionheart and the French king King Philip Augustus.
Anglo-French War (1202–1204): During this war, France successfully invaded and took control of Normandy from England.
Anglo-French War (1213–1214): Another conflict between King Philip Augustus of France and King John of England.
Anglo-French War (1215–1217): France got involved in the First Barons War in England, trying to help English nobles against their king.
Anglo-French War (1224): Also known as the Poitou War, this was another fight over English lands in France.
Anglo-French War (1242–1243): This conflict is also called the Saintonge War.

The Hundred Years' War (Late Middle Ages)

Anglo-French War (1294–1303): Known as the Guyenne War, this was a precursor to the much larger Hundred Years' War.
Anglo-French War (1324): This short conflict is known as the War of Saint-Sardos.
Anglo-French War (1337–1453): This was the famous Hundred Years' War, a very long series of conflicts. It's often divided into three main parts:
- Edwardian War (1337–1360): The first phase, named after King Edward III of England.
- Caroline War (1369–1389): The second phase, where France regained much lost territory.
- Lancastrian War (1415–1453): The final phase, which saw major English victories but ultimately led to their defeat in France.
Anglo-French War (1496–1498): This was a smaller conflict that was part of the larger Italian War of 1494–1498.

Conflicts in the Modern Era

The rivalry continued into the modern period, often as part of larger European or global wars.

1500s and 1600s: New Challenges

Anglo-French War (1512–1514): Part of the War of the League of Cambrai, a big conflict involving many European powers.
Anglo-French War (1522–1526): This war was part of the Italian War of 1521–1526.
Anglo-French War (1542–1546): Another conflict that was part of the Italian War of 1542–1546.
Anglo-French War (1557–1559): This war was part of the Italian War of 1551–1559.
English expedition to France (1562–1563): England got involved in France's own internal religious conflicts, known as the French Wars of Religion.
Anglo-French War (1627–1629): England intervened during the Huguenot rebellions in France, supporting French Protestants.
Anglo-French War (1666–1667): A smaller conflict that happened alongside the Second Anglo-Dutch War.
Anglo-French War (1689–1697): This was a major conflict that was part of the Nine Years' War, a large European war.

1700s: Global Rivalries

Anglo-French War (1702–1713): Part of the War of the Spanish Succession, a huge war over who would rule Spain.
Anglo-French War (1744–1748): This conflict was part of the War of the Austrian Succession.
Anglo-French War (1746–1763): Also known as the Carnatic Wars, these were fought in India as both countries competed for control there.
Anglo-French War (1756–1763): This was a global conflict known as the Seven Years' War, fought in Europe, North America, and India.
Anglo-French War (1778–1783): France supported the American colonies in their fight for independence during the American Revolutionary War.
Anglo-French War (1793–1802): This was part of the French Revolutionary Wars, as European powers tried to stop the spread of the French Revolution.

After 1802: Final Major Conflicts

Anglo-French War (1803–1815): These were the famous Napoleonic Wars, where Britain played a key role in defeating Napoleon Bonaparte and his French Empire.
Anglo-Vichy French War (1940–42): During WWII, Britain fought against Vichy France, a French government that cooperated with Nazi Germany. Britain fought alongside Free France, led by Charles de Gaulle, who resisted the Nazis.

Times of Tension: Near-Wars

Sometimes, even when there wasn't a full-blown war, England/Britain and France had serious disagreements that almost led to fighting. These are called "crises."

Anglo-French Wars facts for kids

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