Chevauchée of Edward III (1346)

The Chevauchée of Edward III of 1346, which began on 12 July 1346, with the landing of English troops in Normandy and ended with the beginning of the siege of Calais on 4 September 1346. This expedition devastated a large part of Normandy, Vexin, Beauvaisis, Vimeu, Ponthieu, Boulonnais and the Boulogne. The chevauchée was a decisive victory for England, with the flower of French nobility decimated during the Battle of Crécy on 26 August 1346. The capture of Calais allows the English to have a strong and powerful base in the north of France, close to England.

Background
During 1342, King Edward III of England learns that King Philip VI of France is preparing to confiscate the County of Ponthieu. English forces are sent to Ponthieu, however continued resistance by the Abbeville nobles, ruined by the taxes raised by the English and tired of their vexations, arm themselves and drive out the English forces. In September 1345, Philip VI began to support the rebels and reconquered the entire province at the end of the year.

Chevauchée
Edward III landed at Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue on 12 July 1346. The English army, whilst landing, was attacked by a French force of 300 troops, led by Robert VIII Bertrand de Bricquebec and his eldest son Robert Bertrand IX. Robert VIII was injured along with his son and they had to retire with only 30 survivors of their troop.


 * Caen


 * Blanchetaque


 * Crécy


 * Calais