The Hundred Years' War was a series of conflicts fought between England and France from 1337 to 1453, which ultimately resulted in English control over much of modern-day France. One major cause of this prolonged conflict was the claim to the French throne by the English King Edward III.
In 1328, King Charles IV of France died without any male heirs, leading to a succession crisis known as the "Hundred Years' War". According to the Salic Law, which excluded women from inheriting the throne, the next in line for the throne was Philip, Count of Valois, who was a cousin of Charles IV. However, Edward III, who was also a cousin of Charles IV, claimed that he had a better claim to the throne based on his descent from an older son of King Philip III.
Edward III's claim to the French throne was not well-received by the French, and tensions between the two countries began to escalate. In 1337, Edward III declared himself the rightful King of France, and the conflict between England and France officially began.
Another cause of the Hundred Years' War was the long-standing animosity between the two countries. For centuries, England and France had been rivals, competing for power and influence in Europe. The English held several territories in France, including Aquitaine, which was a major source of wealth and power for the English monarchy. The French, on the other hand, sought to unite all of their territories under a single ruler and to push the English out of France.
In addition to these major causes, there were also several other factors that contributed to the outbreak of the Hundred Years' War. These included economic competition, cultural differences, and the personal ambitions of various kings and nobles on both sides of the conflict.
Overall, the Hundred Years' War was a complex and multifaceted conflict that was driven by a variety of factors, including the claim to the French throne by the English King Edward III, long-standing animosity between the two countries, and other economic, cultural, and personal factors.