Originally published on July 20, 2016 (Episode 66)
Introduction
The Hundred Years War was not simply the story of kings and nobles—it was a conflict that reshaped the daily lives of peasants, priests, women, and prisoners of war. By the time it ended in 1453, the conflict had dragged on for more than a century, leaving behind devastation and profound social change.
As one chronicler wrote after the capture of King Jean II at the Battle of Poitiers:
“From that time on all went wrong with the Kingdom and the state was undone. Thieves and robbers rose up everywhere in the land…The nobles despised and hated all others and took no thought for the mutual usefulness and profit of lord and men.”
In this episode, David Green joins us to explore these lived experiences of war. His book The Hundred Years War: A People’s History (Yale, 2015) offers a powerful corrective to traditional narratives, shifting the focus from monarchs and military strategy to ordinary lives caught in extraordinary conflict.
About the Guest
David Green is Senior Lecturer in British Studies and History at Harlaxton College. He specializes in late medieval history and has written extensively on war, politics, and society in England and France.
For Further Investigation
David Green, The Hundred Years War: A People’s History (Yale, 2015)
Christopher Allmand, The Hundred Years War: England and France at War, c. 1300–c. 1450 (Cambridge, 1988)
Listen & Discuss
How do we shift our focus from kings to communities when studying war? Share your thoughts in the comments, and pass this episode along to anyone fascinated by medieval history.
