The Siege and Fall of Calais

The early morning of January 7, 1558, marked a pivotal moment in history as the French army launched a surprise attack to reclaim Calais from English control. Thomas Wentworth, the Lord Deputy of Calais, faced a dire situation with poorly maintained defenses and a severely undermanned garrison. Despite his efforts to rally able-bodied townsmen to defend the city, he was met with panic and chaos as terrified civilians fled. As French forces breached the city walls, the fall of Calais signified the end of English occupation in France that had lasted for nearly 200 years.