The Battle of Crécy showcased the effectiveness of English longbowmen against French heavy cavalry, leading to devastating losses for the French.
Edward III's claim to the French throne challenged the established order, causing a power struggle and marking a turning point in the conflict between England and France.
Deep dives
The Battle of Crecy and its Consequences
The Battle of Crecy took place in 1346 between the French led by Philip VI and the English under the command of Edward III. Despite being outnumbered, the English emerged victorious, with the use of longbows proving effective against the French heavy cavalry. The battle was the result of simmering tensions between Edward III and Philip VI, leading to the Hundred Years War. The English victory had far-reaching consequences, causing devastation among the French nobility and creating chaos in the established political networks. The battle highlighted the effectiveness of archery in warfare and set the stage for future battles in the war.
The Succession Crisis and Edward III's Claim
The succession crisis in France following the death of Louis X in 1316 led to a power struggle between adult males and young daughters. Edward III, with his claim through his mother Isabella, sought to become the French king. The crisis resulted in the Capetian dynasty losing its uninterrupted father-to-son transmission of the throne. Edward's claim challenged the established order and led to his selection as king by a group of elites, despite Philip VI being already embedded in French politics. Edward's claim marked a turning point in the conflict between England and France, with implications for future battles.
Tensions and Confiscation of Territories
Tensions between Edward III and Philip VI escalated when Philip confiscated the Duchy of Aquitaine and the County of Punter from Edward in 1337. The confiscation was a result of multiple factors, including French support for the Scots and conflicts over territories held by English kings in France. Edward responded by seeking alliances with neighboring regions, such as the Low Countries, where important cities like Flanders provided military support. Edward's strategic moves aimed to assert his control over French territories and protect English interests in the region.
The Battle of Crecy and its Impact
The Battle of Crecy, fought in August 1346, showcased the English longbowmen's effectiveness against the French cavalry. Edward III's well-organized army, which included a large contingent of archers, outmaneuvered the French forces led by Philip VI. The battle resulted in a devastating loss for the French, leading to widespread casualties among the nobility and further weakening of French military and political networks. The battle demonstrated the significance of long-range archery in warfare and set the stage for future conflicts in the Hundred Years War.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the brutal events of 26 August 1346, when the armies of France and England met in a funnel-shaped valley outside the town of Crécy in northern France.
Although the French, led by Philip VI, massively outnumbered the English, under the command of Edward III, the English won the battle, and French casualties were huge. The English victory is often attributed to the success of their longbowmen against the heavy cavalry of the French.
The Battle of Crécy was the result of years of simmering tension between Edward III and Philip VI, and it led to decades of further conflict between England and France, a conflict that came to be known as the Hundred Years War.
With
Anne Curry
Emeritus Professor of Medieval History at the University of Southampton
Andrew Ayton
Senior Research Fellow in History at Keele University
and
Erika Graham-Goering
Lecturer in Late Medieval History at Durham University
Producer Luke Mulhall
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