They achieved complete strategic surprise and marched south. Battle of Crécy, (August 26, 1346), battle that resulted in victory for the English in the first decade of the Hundred Years’ War against the French. [63] Despite this advice, the French attacked later the same afternoon; it is unclear from the contemporary sources whether this was a deliberate choice by Philip, or because too many of the French knights kept pressing forward and the battle commenced against his wishes. Edward decided to engage Philip's army with the force he had. On July 12, 1346, Edward landed an … It had burnt a path of destruction through some of the richest lands in France to within 2 miles (3 km) of Paris, sacking many towns on the way. By most contemporary accounts the crossbowmen were considered cowards at best and more likely traitors,[119] and many of them were killed by the French. These were disordered by their impromptu nature, by having to force their way through the fleeing crossbowmen, by the muddy ground, by having to charge uphill, and by the pits dug by the English. [164], The result of the battle is described by Clifford Rogers as "a total victory for the English",[165] and by Ayton as "unprecedented" and "a devastating military humiliation". [128], A contemporary described the hand-to-hand combat which ensued as "murderous, without pity, cruel, and very horrible". The battle at Crécy shocked European leaders because a small but disciplined English force fighting on foot had overwhelmed the finest cavalry in Europe. There was no lack of courage on either side. [113][114] The crossbowmen were also without their protective pavises, which were still with the French baggage, as were their reserve supplies of ammunition. Alençon was among those killed. The number of the Genoese crossbowmen is variously given as two, "The Battle of Crécy: Context and Significance", "The Development of Battle Tactics in the Hundred Years War", "Inter-frontal Cooperation in the Fourteenth Century and Edward III's 1346 Campaign", "Numerical Analysis of English Bows used in Battle of Crécy", "The Longbow-Crossbow Shootout at Crécy (1346): Has the "Rate of Fire Commonplace" Been Overrated? Losses: French, 14,000 of 35,000; English, 200 of 16,000. The Battle of Crécy took place on 26 August 1346 in northern France between a French army commanded by King Philip VI and an English army led by King Edward III. This contribution has not yet been formally edited by Britannica. [70] They were professional soldiers and in battle were protected from missiles by pavises – very large shields with their own bearers, behind each of which three crossbowmen could shelter. The language spoken at the English court among the aristocracy and clergy and in courts of law was Norman French, as it had been since the time of William the Conqueror of Normandy, starting in 1066. [155], The French casualties are considered to have been very high. [42] Clifford Rogers suggests 15,000: 2,500 men-at-arms, 7,000 longbowmen, 3,250 hobelars and 2,300 spearmen. [94] The baggage train was positioned to the rear of the whole army, where it was circled and fortified, to serve as a park for the horses, a defence against any possible attack from the rear and a rallying point in the event of defeat. https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Crecy, How Stuff Works - History - Battle of Crecy. [158] No such count was made of the lower-born foot soldiers, as their equipment was not worth looting. This was sufficient for perhaps fifteen minutes' shooting at the maximum rate, although as the battle wore on the rate would slow. [105][106] Modern historians have generally considered this to have been a practical approach, and one with proven success against other armies. Heater shields, typically made from thin wood overlaid with leather, were carried. Image depicting the Battle of Crécy, in which Edward III of England defeated Philip VI of France, August 26, 1346. The main French army had followed the English, and their scouts captured some stragglers and several wagons, but Edward had broken free of immediate pursuit. Hearing that the Flemish had turned back, and having temporarily outdistanced the pursuing French, Edward had his army prepare a defensive position on a hillside near Crécy-en-Ponthieu. The English then marched north, hoping to link up with an allied Flemish army which had invaded from Flanders. The far bank was defended by a force of 3,500 French. The battle, which saw an early use of the deadly longbow by the English, is regarded as one of the most decisive in history. The French attacked the English while they were traversing northern France during the Hundred Years' War resulting in an English victory and heavy loss of life among the French. During the 1345 campaign he was known as the Earl of Derby, but his father died in September 1345 and he became the Earl of Lancaster. [129] Men-at-arms who lost their footing, or who were thrown from wounded horses, were trampled underfoot, crushed by falling horses and bodies and suffocated in the mud. [22], The French military position was difficult. [143] Finally, Philip abandoned the field of battle, although it is unclear why. They were now willing to give battle, knowing they would have the advantage of being able to stand on the defensive while the English were forced to try to fight their way past them. Behind them, the King commanded the reserve battle, with 700 men-at-arms and 2,000 archers. [123][132] Ayton and Preston write of "long mounds of fallen warhorses and men ... add[ing] significantly to the difficulties facing fresh formations ... as they sought to approach the English position. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Origins of 'Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense' These words were first uttered by England's King Edward III in the 14th century.
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