Final answer:
The Hundred Years' War shifted Europe from the medieval period by transforming warfare, weakening feudal structures, and altering the political landscape, contributing to the rise of national identities and strengthening monarchies while diminishing the influence of the nobility.
Step-by-step explanation:
Contribution of the Hundred Years' War to the End of Europe's Medieval Period
The Hundred Years' War significantly influenced the end of the medieval period in Europe. It heralded changes in the nature of warfare, signaling a shift from feudal armies to professional standing armies funded by monarchs. The prominence of new warfare technologies, like the English longbow and later firearms and gunpowder, contributed to the decline of the cavalry, which had been central to feudal armies. Feudal nobles saw a diminishment of their military roles, reducing the social prestige and power associated with their status.
The war also fostered national identities and influenced the political landscape substantially. In England, it resulted in a stronger Parliament and the emergence of a more representative form of government. Contrarily, in France, the war reinforced the monarchy's power, creating a strong national government without a corresponding national assembly. These political shifts were instrumental in moving away from the traditional medieval feudal systems.
Cultural and socioeconomic factors also played a role. The Black Death and subsequent population decline shifted the balance of power away from the feudal lords. Combined with the war, these events weakened the feudal nobility and the Church, while trade expansion and intellectual developments paved the way for the Renaissance.