The Hundred Years’ War, which was actually one hundred and sixteen years, spanned from 1337-1453 and was fought between the Kingdom of France and the Kingdom of England. The War wasn’t one consistent war, rather it took place in a series of many wars, some of which lasted over twenty years. One of these many wars took place in Normandy, located on the Northwestern portion of France, and conquering it was a significant victory for the English.
On this day January 19th, in 1419, the capital of Northern Normandy, Rouen, surrendered to Henry V of England. This gave England complete and total control over Normandy. During the Hundred Years’ War, three quarters of Normandy’s population had either left or had been killed. In what was still part of the Hundred Years’ War, France’s most famous heroine, Joan of Arc, was burned at the stake in Normandy in 1931.
Normandy became very famous later on during World War II for having been the spot where D-Day occurred. Estimates say that over 10,000 men were killed in this single day alone, and the reenactment of it can be seen in Tom Hank’s “Saving Private Ryan.” Normandy is also famous for its many delicacies it has to offer: Cider, Apple Pie, and being that Normandy is on the bay – its seafood is considered to be fantastic.