The Century War

The so-called Century War in fact lasted well over a hundred years. It was one of two great struggles (the other is known as the Thirty Years War) fought against the most terrible enemy the Free Folk have ever known: the Drow.

Ships of the Fisher Elves, Brittany

This story is too complex to tell on a single web page, so I have broken it into sections. Historians customarily divide the Century War into four stages, and I have followed that convention here. Although modern historians might disagree, I have chosen to follow the older practice of including the Wars of the Houses as part of the overall conflict.

The Black Death

The first phase of the War was a grim story of one defeat after another. It began on 13 October 2090 AUC when the Drow struck suddenly all across Europa. They brought a frightening magic known as the Black Death. This spell was of a type previously unknown in the world and carried off every third person in the world. Even as it was still taking its grievous toll, the Free Nations declared unremitting war against the Dark Elves. This phase of the War included the dreadful defeats at Sluys, Crécy and Poitiers.

The Wise War

Named for Carolus Sapiens, Charles le Quint, who directed what amounted to a guerilla war against the armies of the Wild. Few famous victories were won during these years, but neither did the Free Nations suffer the terrible defeats they did during the time of the Black Death.

The Maid of Orleans

Mad kings, political and economic chaos, and the worst defeat of all: Agincourt. Gaul was conquered and then, miraculously, was saved by Jeanne d'Arc.

The Wars of the Houses

The Wars of the Houses technically was confined to Britain, but these savage little conflicts had repercussions across Europa. I include them as part of the Century War because only after the Battle of Bosworth in 2238 AUC was the threat of the Drow finally removed.