The Battle of Crécy (1346)

In April 1346 an expedition to France was prepared to support the only one thousand men strong army of Henry of Grosmont, Earl of Lancaster, that had successfully recaptured parts of Gascony and then raided in Northern France. In July Edward III landed in Normandy with his fleet and completely took the French by surprise. The English army took Caen and then marched inland almost as far as Paris, destroying many villages on their way. For some time Edward tried to avoid an encounter with the French army under King Philip VI but at Crécy, which had been under English rule since 1297, he finally awaited Philip. Even though the French force was much bigger the English won the battle due to their good equipment, well organized tactics, and the skill of the English archers and soldiers, among them the sixteen year old Black Prince, Edward's eldest son.