Final answer:
The Hundred Years' War was a lengthy conflict between England and France, beginning when England's King Edward III claimed the French throne, ultimately resulting in France's emergence as a dominant European power.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Hundred Years' War was a protracted conflict between England and France that unfolded from 1337 to 1453. The origins of the war are tied to disputes over the rightful succession to the French crown after the death of King Charles IV of France without a direct heir. England's King Edward III, related to the French royal family, laid claim to the French throne, setting the stage for over a century of intermittent warfare.
The Hundred Years' War saw the evolution of military tactics and technology, including the prominence of the English longbow and, later, the advent of firearms and gunpowder. The war had profound effects on the social structures and national identities of both nations. Despite England's early victories, the conclusion of the war saw France emerge as the dominant kingdom in western Europe.
Significant to both military and social history, the Hundred Years' War featured the decline of noble knights in favor of professionalized armies and provided opportunities for social mobility through military service. As the conflict raged, other geopolitical struggles, such as the Seven Years' War, also showcased the global nature of imperial conflicts, further shaping the modern world.