forming itself little by little around the lords, convoked at Amiens all
his vassals great and small, laic or cleric, placing all his strength in
their coöperation, and not caring at all to associate the country itself
in the affairs of his government. Edward, on the contrary, while
equipping his fleet and amassing treasure at the expense of the Jews and
Lombard usurers, was assembling his parliament, talking to it "of this
important and costly war," for which he obtained large subsidies, and
accepting, without making any difficulty, the vote of the commons'
house, which expressed a desire "to consult their constituents upon this
subject, and begged him to summon an early parliament, to which there
should be elected, in each county, two knights taken from among the best
landowners of their counties."
The King set out for the Continent; the parliament met and considered
the exigences of the war by land and sea, in Scotland and in France;
traders, shipowners, and mariners were called and examined; and the
forces determined to be necessary were voted. Edward took the field,
pillaging, burning, and ravaging, "destroying all the country for twelve
or fourteen leagues in extent," as he himself said in a letter to the
Archbishop of Canterbury. When he set foot on French territory, Count
William of Hainault, his brother-in-law and up to that time his ally,
came to him and said that "he would ride with him no farther, for that
his presence was prayed and required by his uncle the King of France, to
whom he bore no hate, and whom he would go and serve in his own kingdom,
as he had served King Edward on the territory of the Emperor, whose
vicar he was," and Edward wished him "Godspeed!" Such was the binding
nature of feudal ties that the same lord held himself bound to pass from
one camp to another according as he found himself upon the domains of
one or the other of his suzerains in a war one against the other.
Edward continued his march toward St. Quentin, where Philip had at last
arrived with his allies the kings of Bohemia, Navarre, and Scotland,
"after delays which had given rise to great scandal and murmurs
throughout the whole kingdom." The two armies, with a strength,
according to Froissart, of a hundred thousand men on the French side,
and forty-four thousand on the English, were soon facing one another,
near Buironfosse, a large burgh of Picardy. A herald came from the
English camp to tell the King of France that the King of England
"demanded of him battle. To which demand," says Froissart, "the King of
France gave willing assent and accepted the day which was fixed at first
for Thursday the 21st, and afterward for Saturday the 25th of October,
1339."
To judge from the somewhat tangled accounts of the chroniclers and of
Froissart himself, neither of the two kings was very anxious to come to
blows. The forces of Edward were much inferior to those of Philip; and
the former had accordingly taken up, as it appears, a position which
rendered attack difficult for Philip. There was much division of
opinion in the French camp. Independently of military grounds, a great
deal was said about certain letters from Robert, King of Naples, "a
mighty necromancer and full of mighty wisdom, it was reported, who,
after having several times cast their horoscopes, had discovered, by
astrology and from experience, that, if his cousin, the King of France,
were to fight the King of England, the former would be worsted."
"In thus disputing and debating," says Froissart, "the time passed till
full mid-day. A little afterward a hare came leaping across the fields,
and rushed among the French. Those who saw it began shouting and making
a great halloo. Those who were behind thought that those who were in
front were engaging in battle; and several put on their helmets and
gripped their swords. Thereupon several knights were made; and the Count
of Hainault himself made fourteen, who were thenceforth nicknamed
Knights of the Hare."
Whatever his motive may have been, Philip did not attack; and Edward
promptly began a retreat. They both dismissed their allies; and during
the early days of November Philip fell back upon St. Quentin, and Edward
went and took up his winter-quarters at Brussels.
For Edward it was a serious check not to have dared to attack the King
whose kingdom he made a pretence of conquering; and he took it
grievously to heart. At Brussels he had an interview with his allies and
asked their counsel. Most of the princes of the Low Countries remained
faithful to him and the Count of Hainault seemed inclined to go back to
him; but all hesitated as to what he was to do to recover from the
check. Van Artevelde showed more invention and more boldness. The
Flemish communes had concentrated their forces not far from the spot
where the two kings had kept their armies looking at one another; but
they had maintained a strict neutrality, and at the invitation of the
Count of Flanders, who promised them that the King of France would
entertain all their claims, Artevelde and Breydel, the deputies from
Ghent and Bruges, even repaired to Courtrai to make terms with him. But
as they got there nothing but ambiguous engagements and evasive
promises, they let the negotiation drop, and, while Count Louis was on
his way to rejoin Philip at St. Quentin, Artevelde with the deputies
from the Flemish communes started for Brussels.
Edward, who was already living on very confidential terms with him, told
him that "if the Flemings were minded to help him to keep up the war and
go with him whithersoever he would take them, they should aid him to
recover Lille, Douai, and Béthune, then occupied by the King of France.
Artevelde, after consulting his colleagues, returned to Edward, and,
'Dear sir,' said he, 'you have already made such requests to us, and
verily, if we could do so while keeping our honor and faith, we would do
as you demand: but we be bound, by faith and oath, and on a bond of two
millions of florins entered into with the Pope, not to go to war with
the King of France without incurring a debt to the amount of that sum
and a sentence of excommunication; but if you do that which we are about
to say to you, if you will be pleased to adopt the arms of France, and
quarter them with those of England, and openly call yourself King of
France, we will uphold you for the true King of France; you, as King of
France, shall give us quittance of our faith; and then we will obey you
as King of France, and will go whithersoever you shall ordain.'"
This prospect pleased Edward mightily: but "it irked him to take the
name and arms of that of which he had as yet won no title." He consulted
his allies. Some of them hesitated; but "his most privy and especial
friend," Robert d'Artois, strongly urged him to consent to the proposal.
So a French prince and a Flemish burgher prevailed upon the King of
England to pursue, as in assertion of his avowed rights, the conquest of
the kingdom of France. King, prince, and burgher fixed Ghent as their
place of meeting for the official conclusion of the alliance; and there,
in January, 1340, the mutual engagement was signed and sealed. The King
of England "assumed the arms of France quartered with those of England,"
and thenceforth took the title of King of France.
BATTLES OF SLUYS AND CRÉCY
A.D. 1340-1346
SIR JOHN FROISSART[47]
The sea fight of Sluys began the Hundred Years' War between
England and France. It is also memorable as England's first
great naval victory. The origin of the war lay in the Salic
Law, which excludes women from the throne of France. This
overruled the claims of Queen Isabella of England, and her
son Edward III in 1328, when the twelve peers and barons of
France unanimously gave the crown to Isabella's cousin,
Philip of Valois, who ascended the throne as Philip VI of
France.
Edward III ingeniously maintained that though the Salic Law
prevented his mother from filling the throne, it did not
destroy the rights of her male descendants, and he early
entertained the project of enforcing this contention; but it
was not until 1337 that he felt able to assert formally his
claim to the French crown and to assume the title of king of
France.
The following year, with a considerable body of troops to
support his presumed rights, he crossed to the Continent,
and passed the winter at Antwerp among the Flemings who had
taken up his cause, and with whom, as well as with the
Emperor-King of Germany, he effected aggressive alliances.
He made a formal declaration of war in 1339, beginning
hostilities which were prolonged into the Hundred Years'
War, and which as a contest of the English kings for the
sovereignty of France produced a series of important
revolutions in the fortunes of that country.
The first serious action of the war was a naval battle at
Sluys, near the Belgian frontier just northeast of Bruges,
June 23, 1340. King Edward and his entire navy sailed from
the Thames June 22, and made straight for Sluys. Sir Hugh
Quiriel and other French officers, with over one hundred and
twenty large vessels, were lying near Sluys for the purpose
of disputing the English King's passage. Froissart, with his
usual terseness, has graphically recorded the combat which
ensued.
A more important victory was that won in the land battle at
Crécy in 1346, which, however, simply paved the way to the
capture of Calais, for it was not until the battle of
Poitiers, ten years later, that Edward made any progress
toward the conquest of France. In 1346, after landing with a
force of troops at Cape La Hogue, Edward reduced Cherbourg,
Carentan, and Caen, and, with the intention of crossing the
Seine at Rouen, commenced his march on Calais, where he was
to be joined by his Flemish allies. Philip, making a rapid
march from Paris to Amiens, had posted detachments of
soldiers along the right bank of the river Somme, guarding
every ford, breaking down every bridge, and gradually
shutting up the invaders in the narrow space between the
Somme and the sea.
Edward sent out his marshals with their battalions to find a
passage, but they were unsuccessful, until a peasant led
them to the tidal ford of Blanchetaque. Although desperately
opposed by fully twelve thousand French, under the Norman
baron Sir Godémar du Fay, they effected a crossing, and,
marching on, encamped in the fields near Crécy. The King of
France with the main body of his troops had taken up his
quarters in Abbeville.
BATTLE OF SLUYS
When the King's fleet was almost got to Sluys, they saw so many masts
standing before it that they looked like a wood. The King asked the
commander of his ship what they could be, who answered that he imagined
they must be that armament of Normans which the King of France kept at
sea and which had so frequently done him much damage, had burned his
good town of Southampton, and taken his large ship the Christopher. The
King replied: "I have for a long time wished to meet with them, and now,
please God and St. George, we will fight them; for, in truth, they have
done me so much mischief that I will be revenged on them if it be
possible."
The King drew up all his vessels, placing the strongest in the front,
and on the wings his archers. Between every two vessels with archers
there was one of men-at-arms. He stationed some detached vessels as a
reserve, full of archers, to assist and help such as might be damaged.
There were in this fleet a great many ladies from England, countesses,
baronesses, and knights' and gentlemen's wives, who were going to attend
on the Queen at Ghent. These the King had guarded most carefully by
three hundred men-at-arms and five hundred archers.
When the King of England and his marshals had properly divided the
fleet, they hoisted their sails to have the wind on their quarter, as
the sun shone full in their faces, which they considered might be of
disadvantage to them, and stretched out a little, so that at last they
got the wind as they wished. The Normans, who saw them tack, could not
help wondering why they did so, and said they took good care to turn
about, for they were afraid of meddling with them. They perceived,
however, by his banner, that the King was on board, which gave them
great joy, as they were eager to fight with him; so they put their
vessels in proper order, for they were expert and gallant men on the
seas. They filled the Christopher, the large ship which they had taken
the year before from the English, with trumpets and other warlike
instruments, and ordered her to fall upon the English.
The battle then began very fiercely; archers and cross-bowmen shot with
all their might at each other, and the men-at-arms engaged hand to hand.
In order to be more successful, they had large grapnels, and iron hooks
with chains, which they flung from ship to ship, to moor them to each
other. There were many valiant deeds performed, many prisoners made, and
many rescues. The Christopher, which led the van, was recaptured by the
English, and all in her taken or killed. There were then great shouts
and cries, and the English manned her again with archers and sent her to
fight against the Genoese.
This battle was very murderous and horrible. Combats at sea are more
destructive and obstinate than upon the land, for it is not possible to
retreat or flee--everyone must abide his fortune and exert his prowess
and valor. Sir Hugh Quiriel and his companions were bold and determined
men, had done much mischief to the English at sea and destroyed many of
their ships; this combat, therefore, lasted from early in the morning
until noon, and the English were hard pressed, for their enemies were
four to one, and the greater part men who had been used to the sea.
The King, who was in the flower of his youth, showed himself on that day
a gallant knight, as did the earls of Derby, Pembroke, Hereford,
Huntingdon, Northampton, and Gloucester; the Lord Reginald Cobham, Lord
Felton, Lord Bradestan, Sir Richard Stafford, the Lord Percy, Sir Walter
Manny, Sir Henry de Flanders, Sir John Beauchamp, Sir John Chandos, the
Lord Delaware, Lucie Lord Malton, and the Lord Robert d'Artois, now
called Earl of Richmond.
I cannot remember all the names of those who behaved so valiantly in the
combat; but they did so well that, with some assistance from Bruges and
those parts of the country, the French were completely defeated, and all
the Normans and the others killed or drowned, so that not one of them
escaped. This was soon known all over Flanders; and when it came to the
two armies before Thin-l'Evêque, the Hainaulters were as much rejoiced
as their enemies were dismayed.
After the King had gained this victory, which was on the eve of St.
John's Day, he remained all that night on board of his ship before
Sluys, and there were great noises with trumpets and all kinds of other
instruments. The Flemings came to wait on him, having heard of his
arrival and what deeds he had performed. The King inquired of the
citizens of Bruges after Jacob van Artevelde, and they told him he was
gone to the aid of the Earl of Hainault with upward of sixty thousand
men, against the Duke of Normandy. On the morrow, which was Midsummer
Day, the King and his fleet entered the port. As soon as they were
landed, the King, attended by crowds of knights, set out on foot on a
pilgrimage to our Lady of Ardemburg, where he heard mass and dined. He
then mounted his horse and went that day to Ghent, where the Queen was,
who received him with great joy and kindness. The army and baggage, with
the attendants of the King, followed him by degrees to the same place.
BATTLE OF CRÉCY
The two battalions of the marshals came, on Friday in the afternoon, to
where the King was, and they fixed their quarters, all three together,
near Crécy in Ponthieu. The King of England, who had been informed that
the King of France was following him, in order to give him battle, said
to his people: "Let us post ourselves here, for we will not go farther
before we have seen our enemies. I have good reason to wait for them on
this spot; as I am now upon the lawful inheritance of my lady mother,
which was given her as her marriage portion, and I am resolved to defend
it against my adversary, Philip de Valois." On account of his not having
more than an eighth part of the forces which the King of France had, his
marshals fixed upon the most advantageous situation, and the army went
and took possession of it. He then sent his scouts toward Abbeville, to
learn if the King of France meant to take the field this Friday,
but they returned and said they saw no appearance of it; upon which he
dismissed his men to their quarters with orders to be in readiness by
times in the morning and to assemble in the same place. The King of
France remained all Friday in Abbeville, waiting for more troops. He
sent his marshals, the Lord of St. Venant and Lord Charles of
Montmorency, out of Abbeville, to examine the country and get some
certain intelligence of the English. They returned about vespers with
information that the English were encamped on the plain. That night the
King of France entertained at supper in Abbeville all the princes and
chief lords. There was much conversation relative to war; and the King
entreated them after supper that they would always remain in friendship
with each other; that they would be friends without jealousy, and
courteous without pride. The King was still expecting the Earl of Savoy,
who ought to have been there with a thousand lances, as he had been well
paid for them at Troyes in Champaign, three months in advance.
The King of England encamped this Friday in the plain, for he found the
country abounding in provisions, but, if they should have failed, he had
plenty in the carriages which attended on him. The army set about
furbishing and repairing their armor, and the King gave a supper that
evening to the earls and barons of his army, where they made good cheer.
On their taking leave the King remained alone with the lords of his
bedchamber; he retired into his oratory, and, falling on his knees
before the altar, prayed to God that if he should combat his enemies on
the morrow, he might come off with honor. About midnight he went to bed
and, rising early the next day, he and the Prince of Wales heard mass
and communicated. The greater part of his army did the same, confessed,
and made proper preparations. After mass, the King ordered his men to
arm themselves, and assemble on the ground he had before fixed on. He
had enclosed a large park near a wood, on the rear of his army, in which
he placed all his baggage wagons and horses. This park had but one
entrance; his men-at-arms and archers remained on foot.
The King afterward ordered, through his constable and his two marshals,
that the army should be divided into three battalions. In the first he
placed the young Prince of Wales, and with him the earls of Warwick and
Oxford, Sir Godfrey de Harcourt, the Lord Reginald Cobham, Lord Thomas
Holland, Lord Stafford, Lord Mauley, the Lord Delaware, Sir John
Chandos, Lord Bartholomew Burgherst, Lord Robert Neville, Lord Thomas
Clifford, Lord Bourchier, Lord Latimer, and many other knights and
squires. There might be, in this first division, about eight hundred
men-at-arms, two thousand archers, and a thousand Welshmen. They
advanced in regular order to their ground, each lord under his banner
and pennon and in the centre of his men. In the second battalion were
the Earl of Northampton, the Earl of Arundel, the lords Roos,
Willoughby, Basset, St. Albans, Sir Lewis Tufton, Lord Multon, Lord
Lascels, and many others; amounting, in the whole, to about eight
hundred men-at-arms and twelve hundred archers. The third battalion was
commanded by the King, and was composed of about seven hundred
men-at-arms and two thousand archers.
The King then mounted a small palfrey, having a white wand in his hand,
and, attended by his two marshals on each side of him, he rode at a
footpace through all the ranks, encouraging and entreating the army that
they would guard his honor and defend his right. He spoke this so
sweetly and with such a cheerful countenance that all who had been
dispirited were directly comforted by seeing and hearing him. When he
had thus visited all the battalions it was near ten o'clock; he retired
to his own division, and ordered them all to eat heartily and drink a
glass after. They ate and drank at their ease, and, having packed up
pots, barrels, etc., in the carts they returned to their battalions
according to the marshals' orders, and seated themselves on the ground,
placing their helmets and bows before them, that they might be the
fresher when their enemies should arrive.
On Saturday the King of France rose betimes, and heard mass in the
monastery of St. Peter's in Abbeville, where he was lodged; having
ordered his army to do the same, he left that town after sunrise. When
he had marched about two leagues from Abbeville, and was approaching the
enemy, he was advised to form his army in order of battle and to let
those on foot march forward that they might not be trampled on by the
horses. The King, upon this, sent off four knights, Lord Moyne of
Bastleberg, Lord of Noyers, Lord of Beaujeu, and the Lord of Aubigny,
who rode so near to the English that they could clearly distinguish
their position. The English plainly perceived they were come to
reconnoitre them; however, they took no notice of it, but suffered them
to return unmolested. When the King of France saw them coming back, he
halted his army; and the knights, pushing through the crowd, came near
the King, who said to them, "My lords, what news?" They looked at each
other, without opening their mouths, for neither chose to speak first.
At last the King addressed himself to the Lord Moyne, who was attached
to the King of Bohemia, and had performed very many gallant deeds, so
that he was esteemed one of the most valiant knights in Christendom.
Lord Moyne said: "Sir, I will speak, since it pleases you to order me,
but under the correction of my companions. We have advanced far enough
to reconnoitre your enemies. Know, then, that they are drawn up in three
battalions, and are waiting for you. I would advise, for my
part--submitting, however, to better counsel--that you halt your army
here and quarter them for the night; for before the rear shall come up
and the army be properly drawn out, it will be very late; your men will
be tired and in disorder, while they will find your enemies fresh and
properly arrayed. On the morrow you may draw up your army more at your
ease and may reconnoitre at leisure on what part it will be most
advantageous to begin the attack; for, be assured, they will wait for
you." The King commanded that it should be so done, and the two marshals
rode, one toward the front, and the other to the rear, crying out, "Halt
banners, in the name of God and St. Denis." Those that were in the front
halted, but those behind said they would not halt until they were as
forward as the front. When the front perceived the rear pressing on they
pushed forward, and neither the King nor the marshals could stop them,
but they marched without any order until they came in sight of their
enemies. As soon as the foremost rank saw them they fell back at once in
great disorder, which alarmed those in the rear, who thought they had
been fighting. There was then space and room enough for them to have
passed forward, had they been willing so to do; some did so, but others
remained shy. All the roads between Abbeville and Crécy were covered
with common people, who, when they were come within three leagues of
their enemies, drew their swords, bawling out, "Kill, kill," and with
them were many great lords that were eager to make show of their
courage. There is no man--unless he had been present--that can imagine
or describe truly the confusion of that day; especially the bad
management and disorder of the French, whose troops were out of number.