by Siggurdsson
15th century illustration of the battle of Crécy
(French forces on the left, English to the right)
From an illustrated manuscript of Jean Froissart's Chronicles
(Unless otherwise indicated, all illustrations are courtesy of Wikipedia)
(French forces on the left, English to the right)
From an illustrated manuscript of Jean Froissart's Chronicles
(Unless otherwise indicated, all illustrations are courtesy of Wikipedia)
The Hundred Years' War between the kingdoms of England and France (1337-1453) was one of the longest running wars in history. Anyone with rudimentary math skills could say it was actually 116 years, but there were occasional lengthy truces which served as breathing spaces before hostilities resumed. The first major land battle in the war took place in northeastern France near the town of Crécy [pronounced KRAY-see]; its tactical implications would be felt for over a century, from Spain to Scotland.