Triumph and Illusion: The Hundred Years War V

The fifth and final volume of Jonathan Sumption’s monumental history of the Hundred Years War, chronicles the dramatic collapse of English ambitions in France from 1422 to 1453. Beginning with the death of Henry V and the consolidation of English control over northern France through victories at Cravant and Verneuil, the narrative traces the gradual erosion of English dominance under Henry VI, culminating in the loss of all continental territories except Calais. Sumption explores the complex interplay of military, political, and social factors that led to this reversal, emphasizing the resilience of Charles VII’s Valois monarchy and the pivotal role of figures like Joan of Arc, whose brief intervention reshaped the war’s trajectory. The book examines the disintegration of the Anglo-Burgundian alliance, the economic exhaustion of England, and the emergence of distinct national identities in both England and France. Through meticulous archival research and a vivid narrative, Sumption illustrates how this period marked a turning point in European history, ending four centuries of English presence in France and shaping the divergent fortunes of the two nations for centuries to come.