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When did the Hundred Years’ War begin?

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Medieval illustration of the Battle of Crecy shows armored soldiers fighting with swords, shields, and bows as mounted knights and banners fill the background. — Hundred Years’ War Image depicting the Battle of Crécy, during the Hundred Years' War, in which Edward III of England defeated Philip VI of France on August 26, 1346.

By convention, the Hundred Years’ War is said to have begun on May 24, 1337. This date marks the confiscation of the English-held duchy of Guyenne by the French king Philip VI.1

While this event is recognized as the formal start of the conflict, the war was the result of long-standing tensions between England and France regarding English territorial possessions in France and disputes over the legitimate succession to the French throne. These underlying issues had led to periodic fighting and friction for many years prior to 1337.213