The Hundred Years’ War & Scottish Independence: Battles That Shaped Nations

Описание: The late Middle Ages was a period of unrelenting conflict across Western Europe, with two of the most defining wars of this era being the Hundred Years' War (1337–1453) between England and France and the Wars of Scottish Independence (1296–1357) between Scotland and England. These wars shaped the political, cultural, and national identities of their people for centuries to come.

The struggle between Scotland and England began when King Edward I of England, known as the "Hammer of the Scots," sought to dominate the Scottish throne. In 1296, Edward invaded Scotland, beginning the First War of Scottish Independence. Resistance soon rose under William Wallace, who became a symbol of defiance. His victory at the Battle of Stirling Bridge (1297) shocked the English and gave Scotland hope. However, Wallace was later defeated at the Battle of Falkirk (1298) and eventually captured and brutally executed in 1305. His death only fueled further resistance.

Robert the Bruce, who was crowned King of Scots in 1306, rebuilt Scotland’s strength through brilliant guerrilla tactics and perseverance. His defining moment came in 1314 at the Battle of Bannockburn, where his forces decisively defeated Edward II’s English army. The Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton finally recognized Scotland as an independent kingdom under Robert the Bruce in 1328.

The Second War of Independence saw fluctuating control, but the Scots eventually restored independence in 1357 with the Treaty of Berwick. The Wars of Scottish Independence were about more than kings and crowns—they forged a Scottish national identity rooted in defiance and freedom, remembered in legends like Wallace and Bruce.

Both the Wars of Scottish Independence and the Hundred Years' War reshaped medieval Europe. For Scotland, independence was secured at great cost, but the legends of Wallace and Bruce became the foundation of national pride and identity. For France, the Hundred Years' War was devastating but transformative. Joan of Arc’s legacy and Charles VII’s reforms turned the tide, leading to a strong, centralized French monarchy.

For England, both wars were bitter lessons. The failure to conquer Scotland and the eventual loss in France marked the decline of English ambitions on the continent, shifting focus instead toward internal development and, later, overseas expansion.

In this documentary-style video, we explore the causes and battles of the Wars of Scottish Independence, the heroism of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce, the rise and fall of English fortunes in the Hundred Years' War, the legendary figures of Edward III, Henry V, and Joan of Arc, and how these wars forged the nations of Scotland, France, and England.