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The Effects of the Hundred Years War on English Literature

The Hundred Years War was a series of battles that took place between the years 1337 and 1453 between the English and the French. Its battles were the result of a number of disagreements and egos that caused friction between the kings of England and France. A large amount of literature was affected by the war --- most notably such authors as Geoffrey Chaucer and William Shakespeare, and later authors, such as Hella Haasse and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote about events surrounding the war.

  1. Geoffrey Chaucer

    • The well-known author and playwright Geoffrey Chaucer was heavily influenced by the events of the Hundred Years War, as he fought in one battle and was captured by the French in the Ardennes. His most well-known work, "The Canterbury Tales," reflects his historical surroundings through its presentation of war, plague, and political and religious scandals. Because of the ongoing war with France, the English economy was less than buoyant; Chaucer reflects this in his writing --- particularly in "The Wife of Bath" where the characters discuss the emergence of a new economic system.

    William Shakespeare

    • William Shakespeare's histories addressed the Hundred Years War a number of times, but most notably in the play "Henry V," which was about the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. Shakespeare's histories did not always display the monarchy in a favorable light, but the playwright composed a number of inspirational and powerful speeches for his monarchs; one of the most famous of which is the speech delivered by Henry in Act 3, Scene 1, which begins, "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more."

    Hella Haasse

    • "In a Dark Wood Wandering," by Hella Haasse, is a fictional recount of some of the events of the Hundred Years War. Haasse creates believable characters out of real-life historical figures, such as Charles VI, Louis d'Orleans, Joan of Arc, Henry V and Charles d'Orleans. While the book is set among historical events, it is also explores the personalities and private lives of the war's main players. The Hundred Years War heavily influenced this book with its main plot being derived from events central to its history.

    Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

    • Sir Arthur Conan Doyle had a love for the historical novel, which manifested itself through a number of novels. Most notably, he wrote about the Hundred Years War in the novels "Sir Nigel" and "The White Company." Both novels follow the adventures of a young squire, Nigel, who fights for King Edward III during the 14th century. Both of the novels are extremely well researched, which is probably due to Doyle's love of history, and reflect the historical period very accurately.

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