THE BATTLE OF CRÉCY
When Arrows Rained and Chivalry Waned
THE BATTLE OF CRÉCY
PRELUDE
In the summer of 1346, the English, under King Edward III, landed on the Cotentin Peninsula on 12 July. Edward and his army of around 10,000 troops faced little resistance.
Edward issued orders not to rob the locals or burn any buildings, but this was clearly disregarded by his troops as they left a trail of destruction through some of France's richest lands.
After capturing and sacking the city of Caen, Edward intended to lead his forces north to meet up with an allied Flemish force. However, their journey was hampered by local French resistance and destroyed river crossings.
Meanwhile, King Philip VI had amassed a huge army and was in pursuit of Edward. The French were gaining ground. Upon learning that their Flemish allies had turned back, Edward realized there was no other option than to fight. The English army established a defensive position near Crécy-en-Ponthieu and waited for Philip and his French horde.
Philip and his army arrived at Crécy on 26 August 1346. His army is estimated to have been between 30,000 to 40,000 strong, including approximately 6,000 Genoese mercenary crossbowmen and 8,000 men-at-arms. The army dwarfed the smaller English force. The French leaders were so confident of victory that they had even pre-determined the potential English prisoners and their respective ransoms.
Upon arrival, Philip’s advisors recommended that the army rest and attack in the morning; however, the impatient barons demanded an immediate attack. Unable to convince his barons otherwise, the French army made hasty preparations and began their assault.
PREPARATIONS FOR BATTLE
On the day of the battle, Edward III's English army took a strategic position on an elevated ridge between Crécy and Wadicourt. The terrain provided a natural defense, and Edward's forces were well-prepared.
The English were led by King Edward III, Edward the Black Prince, and the Earl of Northampton. Their army consisted of between 7,000 to 15,000 troops, including men-at-arms, spearmen, light cavalry, and a significant number of longbowmen. Notably, Edward III's knights did not fight on horseback at Crécy. Instead, they were dismounted and placed alongside longbowmen, providing protection against the French knights.
King Edward III and the English army
The English army was divided into three main groups, with infantry in the center and longbowmen on the flanks. The right-hand division, closest to the French, was nominally commanded by his 16-year-old son, the Black Prince. Experienced soldiers like the Earls of Oxford and Warwick, as well as Sir John Chandos, were present to advise the young prince.
Edward likely deployed his archers in a V-shaped formation called a harrow, allowing more archers to see and accurately target the advancing enemy. Edward's strategy was to use the archers to disrupt the advancing French forces. With woods on both sides acting as a natural funnel, the front line was relatively small. Edward’s army had dug a series of small holes in the ground and laid down caltrops in preparation for the inevitable cavalry charge.
The French, led by King Philip VI, Count of Alençon, King John the Blind, Duke of Lorraine, Count of Blois, and Count of Flanders, fielded an army of between 20,000 to 30,000 troops. This included 8,000 men-at-arms, 2,000-6,000 crossbowmen, and an unknown number of infantry. The French army also boasted a large contingent of mercenary Genoese crossbowmen, considered the best in Europe.
Shortly before the battle, a storm broke out. The English archers were able to detach their longbow strings and hide them under their clothes to keep them dry. However, the Genoese crossbow strings were unable to be detached and became soaked, reducing their effectiveness.
The English adopted a defensive position against the French
THE BATTLE COMMENCES
The battle commenced at 4 pm with the advance of the Genoese crossbowmen. Their progress was slowed by the incline and the now boggy ground. With their shorter range reduced even further by the wet strings and the fact they were marching uphill in wet conditions, they became easy pickings for the English longbowmen. The English longbowmen, on the high ground and with superior range, had a huge advantage. Volley after volley of arrows ripped into the Genoese crossbowmen before they could even fire. The quicker reload times of the Longbow meant a steady stream of arrows. Without their shields, the Genoese had nothing to prevent the slaughter. It was not long before they turned to run off the battlefield, having already sustained devastating losses.
The Count of Alençon, seeing this, was reported to say, "This is what one gets by employing such scoundrels, who fail when there is any need for them." As the Genoese crossbowmen retreated, they were obstructed by the French knights who were eager to engage the English. This resulted in chaos, with some knights trampling the crossbowmen, while others even attacked them out of contempt. The English took advantage of this disarray, pouring volleys of arrows and firing primitive bombards.
The French army, larger and seemingly more formidable, launched a series of charges against the English line. Time and again, the French knights and infantry tried to break through the English defenses, but the combination of the terrain, the defensive preparations, and the deadly efficiency of the longbowmen thwarted their efforts. Those who reached the English lines infantry with pole-arms, ideal for dismounting knights.
One of the most poignant moments of the battle was when the blind King John of Bohemia tied his horse to those of his knights to charge the English lines. Despite their bravery, they were all cut down by the English forces. Throughout the battle, the English longbowmen played a pivotal role. Their arrows pierced armor and caused chaos among the French ranks. The French charges, though numerous, became increasingly disorganized and ineffective. By the end of the day, the French had launched 15 separate charges, each repelled by the English.
The French calvery charges against the English position
King Philip VI displayed remarkable courage during the battle. He had two horses killed underneath him and even took an arrow to the jaw. However, as night approached and his army began to retreat, he was escorted to safety at Labroye castle.
Edward III, aware that some French contingents hadn't reached the battlefield, refrained from pursuing the retreating French. Instead, the English remained vigilant throughout the night, lighting bonfires and maintaining their defensive positions.
King Philip VI leading his army into battle
LEGACY
The Battle of Crécy was a decisive victory for Edward III and the English forces. This battle was particularly shocking to European leaders because a smaller, disciplined English force, primarily on foot, managed to defeat Europe's finest cavalry. It showcased the effectiveness of the longbow and highlighted the tactical prowess of the English commanders.
The battle is often cited as a turning point in medieval warfare, marking the decline of heavy cavalry and the rise of infantry and ranged weapons, such as the longbow. The Battle of Crécy underscored the tactical importance of choosing the right battlefield. Edward's decision to establish a defensive position on a hillside near Crécy-en-Ponthieu provided the English with a significant advantage.
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