With reference to two medieval wars, each from a different region, discuss the view that long-term causes were more important to the outbreak of war than short-term causes.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the suggestion that long-term causes were more important than short-term causes to the outbreak of two medieval wars. The two medieval wars chosen must be from different regions but they may or may not have been contemporaneous with each other. Causes may predate the timeframe but they must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may offer equal coverage of long-term and short-term causes, or they may emphasize their discussion of one of them; however, both aspects will be a feature of the response. A comparative approach may or may not be used. Candidates may refer to longstanding tension, for example over control of trade routes prior to the Hundred Years’ War, or over religious differences as in the case of the Crusades. While other relevant short-term factors, for example succession issues, resentment over policies, or personal flaws as in the case of Henry VI during the War of the Roses, may be referred to, the bulk of the response will remain on the issue raised in the question.

The question required candidates to offer a considered and balanced review of the suggestion that long-term causes were more important than short-term causes to the outbreak of two medieval wars, each from a different region.