Historians can explain exactly how the real Hundred Years War played out, but half the fun of taking control of a country in Europa Universalis 5 author your own version of history. Who cares how the war happened in real life? How do you do you want to see it play out?
Pretty much any European country will be involved in the conflict between England and France (as well as between France and France – get ready for civil war if you jump into King Philippe's shoes) during the Hundred Years War in EU5. Good luck out there!
Hundred Years War Overview
Duchy of Aquitaine
You hardly have time to get your feet wet with your new country in Europa Universalis 5 when the Hundred Years War begins on the first day of July 1337. While the primary combatants in the war are kingdom of England and that kingdom of franceyou will find that the war affects all European countries. Even if you are not playing as England or France, you will still be aware of the conflict, unless you are in the battle depending on your loyalty.
France and England will see changes to Aquitaine as you cycle through the first three months of the game. It is a small territory in Southeast of continental Francecolored more like the reddish pink of England than the purples which denote the French territories. King Edward asserts himself as the Duke of Aquitaine, and you will see him as the ruler if you choose to play as the Duchy.
Aquitaine becomes dissatisfied with England and feasts a low subject loyalty to England the spring of 1337. The French king dies on July 1and it sparks the Hundred Years War in EU5, tying all of Europe into a battle that rages for nearly a century – unless you change history with your gameplay, that is.
The actual war in the story had a brief, tense period of peace between 1356 and 1364, and the conflict effectively ended in 1453, but you can end the war early with decisive military action, careful diplomacy, or a fun balance between the two.
Robert d'Artois
Regardless of whether you play as England or France, you will get a pop-up event on June 1st approx. Sir Robert d'Artoisa man on the run from the French crown after attempting to usurp a county. France asks England to send him backand no matter which country you play, your decision is decisive.
Pay attention to the icon of a white book with a red bookmark, indicating Historical options – These are the decisions made by the world leader you play, and they are there to inform you of crucial decisions you will be making.
-
If you play as Englandyou have the choice to either capitulation d'Artois and avert the war with France, or the port of 'Artois at any rate and provoke the French to battle. Harboring d'Artois gives you a Casus Belli against France, the Conquer the Throne of France option.
-
As Franceyour message gives you the choice to demand d'Artois's surrender and return to France, the historical option, or to refuses to provoke England to try to keep the peace. Pressing can trigger the Hundred Year War before its estimated start date.
-
If you press the issue and England does not return d'Artois to France, you have a second chance to back out, or choose the historical option of triggering the war. Refusing to demand the return of d'Artois will cost you some Prestige.
-
The return of d'Artois may be enough to sidestep the war altogether, but if the Hundred Years' War breaks out in the EU5, each country involved has unique ways to turn the battle in their favor.
The Black Death
As you have probably heard bubonic plague called, you will be notified that The Black Death hits your country early in the warprobably sometime in the 1350s. Both countries need to be aware of this plague, as it can be an easy turner for the opposition. Either way, the plague will require work to eradicate, which will likely distract your war efforts.
The Black Death is something of a tutorial on communicable diseases in EU5, and it helps you prepare to maintain the population. However, Losing Pops to Black Death can severely hamper your charges used in battle, because dead men cannot fight wars for you. There are a number of other negative modifiers attached to the situation, but expect it to affect your wartime plans.
How to Win the Hundred Years War
When conflict breaks out, England and France become rivalswhich will increase the antagonism score for both countries involved. You have enough on your hands with this fight, so it might be best not to pick other battles with countries outside of France, lest the world begin to see you as something of a warmonger and start forming coalitions against your aggression.
When the Hundred Years War breaks out, most of the European continent is involvedand even if you are not on active combat fronts yourself, countries in Europe will need to be careful in their diplomatic actions with those involved in the conflict, because the opposite side may see this as a slight and mistake you for an enemy. Of course, the war will play out very differently for different countries, with unique powers, abilities, and events possible to end the war sooner.
The game won't stick strictly to historical accuracy here – the Hundred Years' War ends when either England or France wins a decisive victory, whenever that ends up happening. Some players report that the Hundred Years War only lasts 50 years or so, while others have seen the war go on for over two centuries, so your mileage will vary depending on which country you play as in the conflict and the decisions you make along the way.
Each country has its own victory conditions, but both can win over them completely subjugate the opposing country. England can win the Hundred Years War with forces the Union with France peace treaty. France, meanwhile, must see to it fewer than four territories of France are subjects of England or owned by the English.
Mass up your military and claim what's yours
With The English Channel between continental Europe and the territories owned by England you will see a lot of naval warfare during the Hundred Years War in the EU5. England will get some very early naval advances, so make sure your fleet is prepared for the early stages of the battle as your army prepares for land-based invasions.
The war will be divided into phases and you will be able to see the information about your troops and fleets at a glance by clicking on the banner of the current phase in the top row.
No matter what, make sure you are researching military progress throughout the war, as these advancements will often lead to new types of ships, ground units, and more that can help turn the tide of war in your favor. The war will likely last most of the game's first age, the Age of Tradition, so you'll want to build as much into your militaristic progress as possible.
This is most likely your first major skirmish in Europa Universalis 5, so there's no shame in trying to automate the military to perform computer-sanctioned actions during more stressful phases of combat. You can always switch back to manual control after you get the hang of warfare.
Monitor subject actions during wartime
Throughout the war, the English can choose to Influence French subjects while at peace overall, wreaked havoc within a select Appanage and tanked loyalty to the region's Overlord, effectively setting the territory on a path towards English rule. The French can influence their subjects by granting titles to try and keep them on your side against potential influence in public opinion one way or another from the English.
You can also acquire core claims to gain the Casus Belli needed to re-invade lands that England may have claimed from you. For the most part, your diplomats will spend a lot of time trying to improve the public opinion of the territories that you have within you and try to sway them towards your side of the alliance, or bolster the opinion of territories with lower loyalty points.
Subjects from France can use Demand autonomy from France measures to free themselves from the crown. You can Contribution subject titles to affect France with the subjects that have the lowest loyalty points, as well as an increased loyalty point for 15 years. French subjects can Promote promotion to Appanageat the risk of their opinion from France.
Regardless of which side of the war they were naturally drafted to, subjects from both countries can Betraying the Alliance and try to fight for the other side, which is likely to lead to increased geopolitical tensions. As the ruler of England or France, deal with subjects that have let you down quickly to try to bring them back into line.
