What is meant by "the outpost crown of New France?

What were the causes of the Hundred Years War between England and France?

• Basically it was due to conflicting claims on the thrones of both countries. When William Duke of Normandy defeated Harold King of England in 1066, he became King William of England. Because William had been a Duke of France, theoretically, he, and his descendants, were vassals of the King of France. Meanwhile, William, and his successors, retained lands in the French territory of Aquitaine, along the Atlantic coast. In this scenario, the King of England not only ruled over the isle of Britain, but nearly half the territory of France was under his suzerainty. In 1337, Edward III of England refused to submit to Philip IV of France. This, of course, meant that Aquitaine would be the possession of the English King, and the French King would lose all the tribute from this territory that formerly would have received. So, Philip confiscated Edward's territory in France, and Edward responded by claiming to be the rightful King of France, due to the fact that his uncle, Charles IV of France, had died without issue, leaving Edward the closest surviving male heir.

• Answer:

  First, allow me to recommend the multi-volume series by Jonathan Sumption. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trial-Battle-Hundred-Years-Vol/dp/0571200958 is the first volume. The basic underlying causes were French interference/desire to control of Anglo-Norman possessions in France. Significant portions were already taken by the King of France long before the war broke out. Additional causes were French support of and interference in Scotland - too close for comfort for the English crown. The English, conversely, wanted to interfere in matters on the continent and were too ready to be the other side in the fight. Of course, the fact that Edward was a legitimate close heir to the French throne was quite a help :).