Crécy, Battle of

26 August 1346

A decisive victory for Edward III of England over Philip IV of France. Edward invaded France through Normandy, crossed the Seine, and then forded the Somme, which Philip, who was on the eastern bank, had hoped to make his battle line. The English formed in battle order on a wooded hill between Wadicourt and Crécy, all on foot, the Welsh archers at the front. The French army arrived in some confusion and was immediately committed to a haphazard attack, composed of a series of cavalry charges. As a result, although fighting bravely, the French were cut to pieces by the English longbowmen and spearmen. By sunset they were in retreat. The engagement was the first major action of the Hundred Years' War. In it the superiority of the English military machine, with its reliance on a professional infantry of longbowmen and spearmen, was clearly demonstrated.

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