Battle of Crecy
1346 · Crecy, France · World · Medieval
The English army held a slope and fired salvos with longbows; more than a dozen charges by the French knights all broke down under the hail of arrows.
Belligerents
Kingdom of England
- Commanders
- Edward III, Edward the Black Prince
- Strength
- Mainly longbowmen, about 14,000
Kingdom of France
- Commanders
- Philip VI
- Strength
- Knights and Genoese crossbowmen, about 30,000
Background
Early in the Hundred Years' War, Edward III landed in Normandy and withdrew north, choosing ground at Crecy to make a stand against his pursuers.
Course of the battle
- DeploymentWith the wind at their backs, the English drew up longbowmen and dismounted knights on a gentle slope.
- Crossbow duelThe French army's Genoese crossbowmen attacked first but were suppressed by the longbows and fell back in disarray.
- ChargeThe French knights charged again and again, and each time were cut down by the hail of arrows and the muddy ground.
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1346 |
|---|---|
| Place | Crecy, France |
| Result | The English army held a slope and fired salvos with longbows; more than a dozen charges by the French knights all broke down under the hail of arrows. |
| Winner | Kingdom of England |
| Casualties | The French knights and nobles suffered heavy casualties, while English losses were light. |
| Territorial change | Following up their victory, the English besieged and took Calais, consolidating their foothold in France. |
Impact
Longbow and infantry tactics defeated the heavily armored knights, foreshadowing the decline of the age of chivalry.
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