War's impact on two societies, England and France, in the late middle ages is fully explored through the evidence and commentary presented here, showing how they reacted to the conflict between them. The Hundred Years War forms the framework for the chosen documents, all from the fourteenth and fifteenth century; extracts show how men thought about war and how they faced up to these ideas in practice; the problems of manpower; and the effects of the military needs of the day on society. The importance of economic motives for going to war is considered, together with the changing methods used in fighting the war. Finally, the attempts at peace-making are illustrated, showing how war did not necessarily end suddenly since its effects -social, economic and political - were felt for many years after it was officially over.
New introduction, updated bibliography; originally published 1973. CHRISTOPHER ALLMANDis Professor of Medieval History at the University of Liverpool.