What triggered the Hundred Years' War?

The Hundred Years' War was primarily triggered by a dispute over the French crown, stemming from a complex mix of feudal rights and territorial ambitions. The immediate cause was the death of Charles IV of France in 1328, who left no male heir. Edward III of England, a grandson of Philip IV of France through his mother, claimed the French crown, as did Philip VI of the House of Valois. This clash of claims to the throne led to heightened tensions and ultimately resulted in warfare.

This contest over legitimate succession to the crown is at the center of the conflict, as it encapsulated broader issues of sovereignty and control over territories, particularly the fiefdoms of Aquitaine and Gascony in France that were held by the English crown. The struggle represented not just a dynastic dispute but also evolving notions of national identity and power in medieval Europe.

The other choices reflect significant historical events or themes but do not relate directly to the initial cause of the Hundred Years' War. The fall of Constantinople occurred long after the war had started and is associated more with the Ottoman expansion. Religious conflicts, while important in different historical contexts, were not the primary drivers of this specific war. Additionally, the invasion of the Inca Empire