The 100 Years War was a seesaw clash between the French and English thrones. The first third of the war saw great victories won by the English, at Sluys and Crecy the English forces smashed their continental enemies. After a one-sided peace treaty was declared, the Channel separated foes settled into an uneasy Cold War. With the advent of the Black Death, both sides suffered massive losses to their populations and a shift in the makeup of society. Farmers and land workers tried to find safety and work in the cities of Europe, changing the power structure of the feudal system dynamically and ushering in a new world. The Black Death also brought about an even more ardent Christianity, as people sought for reasons and hope in a world seemingly devoid of both. With the death of Henry V, the hero of Agincourt, the political waters became very murky. For the next few years, both the French and the English claimed the throne of France, but only one side had the power to back their claim. The weak and vacillating Charles VII was forced to be a bystander in his own land as he watched Henry VI’s regent, the Duke of Bedford, assert control over most of France. With the help of the Duchy of Burgundy, the destabilizing Black Plague, and a lack of inspired leadership, the English could claim most of France north of the Loire river and seemed to be on their way to a win in the 100 Years War. The English certainly could not have planned for a young girl to hear the voices of former queens and current Saints Margaret and Catherine.