The struggle between France and England called the Hundred Years War was the longest war in recorded history. It lasted with some interruptions through the reigns of five English kings and five French kings. The basic problem was that the conquest of England by William of Normandy created a state lying on both sides of the English Channel. Hostility between the two countries had been building up for years. Economic, political, and military issues were the primary causes for the Hundred Years War.
             Flanders became "the industrial center of northern Europe" because of its textile manufacturing (Nelson 1). Flanders had a high demand for wool and imported fleece from England (Nelson 1); therefore Flanders quickly became the primary market for English wool (End 1). The English people depended on the trade because of their new elaborate "Norman Fashions" (Nelson 1). The English royal revenues were greatly comprised of export taxes on wool (End 1). "Despite a long-standing claim by French monarchy to supreme authority over the Flemish, Flanders had established a strong trading alliance with the English in the wool trade" (End 1). In order to control its wealth, the French tried to regain control of the region (Nelson 1). England did not want the French to control Flanders because it would mean that they controlled their main source of foreign exchange (Nelson 1). "A triangular trade arose in which English fleece was exchanged for flemish cloth, which was then taken to southern France and exchanged for wine, which was then shipped into England and Ireland, primarily through the ports of Dublin, Bristol, and London" (Nelson 1). The upper class English citizens switched from beer to wine during the 1200's (Nelson 1). England had to import wine because it could not grow grapes (Nelson 1). The English king resented French involvement of Flemish affai
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