Battle of Caen (1346) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Caen |
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| Part of the Crécy campaign during the Hundred Years' War | |||||||
 The storming of Caen, depicted in a manuscript of Froissart's Chronicles |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| Kingdom of England | Kingdom of France | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| King Edward III | Raoul, Count of Eu (POW) | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 12,000 (not all engaged) | 1,500 soldiers | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown, but light | c. 5,000 soldiers and civilians | ||||||
The Battle of Caen was a major attack by the Kingdom of England on the French town of Caen in Normandy. This happened on July 26, 1346, during the Hundred Years' War. King Edward III of England led the English forces.
This attack was part of a larger raid, called a chevauchée, that King Edward III started a month earlier. The English army landed in Normandy and caught the French by surprise. Most of the French army was far away in Gascony. The English faced little resistance as they moved through Normandy, causing a lot of damage.
Part of the English army, about 12,000 to 15,000 soldiers, attacked Caen. The town was defended by 1,000 to 1,500 soldiers and many armed townspeople. Raoul, the Count of Eu, a top French military leader, was in charge of Caen's defense. The English captured the town quickly in their first assault. Many soldiers and townspeople were killed, and the town was looted for five days.
After five days, the English army left Caen and marched towards the River Seine. They later won a huge victory against the French at the Battle of Crécy on August 26. After that, the English began a successful siege of Calais. This battle and the siege had a big impact on the rest of the war.
Why the Battle Happened
England and France: A Long-Standing Conflict
For a long time, English kings also held lands in France. This made them vassals, or loyal subjects, to the French kings. But this often caused arguments between the two countries. In 1337, the French King Philip VI of France decided to take back the French lands held by King Edward III of England. This decision started the Hundred Years' War, which lasted for over a century.
Edward III's Plan to Attack France
Even though the war started over lands in southwestern France, Edward III focused his main attacks on northern France. In 1345, he planned to attack France from three different directions:
- A small group would go to Brittany.
- A slightly larger group would go to Gascony.
- The main army, led by Edward himself, would go to northern France.
The French knew about these plans. They expected the main English attack to be in northern France. So, they sent most of their soldiers there.
Previous English Victories
In 1345, an English army led by Henry, Earl of Derby, had a very successful campaign in Gascony. They defeated two large French armies and captured many French towns. This gave the English a stronger position in Gascony.
Getting Ready for Battle
French Focus on Aiguillon
In March 1346, a large French army, much bigger than the English forces in Gascony, surrounded the town of Aiguillon. This town was very important for controlling Gascony. The French put all their efforts into this attack. They even called for all able-bodied men in southern France to join the army.
Edward III's Surprise Attack
The French thought Edward III would sail to Brittany or Gascony to help his allies. They believed their strong navy would stop any English landing in northern France. However, the French navy was not as strong as they thought.
On July 11, 1346, Edward's huge fleet of over 700 ships left England. The next day, they landed at St. Vaast la Hogue, near Cherbourg. The English army had between 12,000 and 15,000 soldiers. They included English and Welsh fighters, plus some German and Breton hired soldiers. Some Norman nobles who were unhappy with the French king also joined them.
The English achieved a complete surprise. They marched south, burning and looting towns along the way. They destroyed places like Carentan, Saint-Lô, and Torteval. The English fleet sailed alongside the army, damaging the land near the coast and taking huge amounts of treasure.
Why Caen Was a Target
Caen was a very important city in northwest Normandy. It was a center for culture, politics, religion, and money. Edward wanted to capture and destroy Caen to get back the money he spent on the expedition. He also hoped it would put pressure on the French government.
The Battle of Caen
Caen's Defenses
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Caen was an old city on the River Orne. It was bigger than any English town except London. The River Odon split the city into two parts:
- The old town had strong walls and a castle. But some parts of the walls were weak.
- The new town, called Ile Saint-Jean, was on an island between the two rivers. It was easier to defend because the rivers acted as natural barriers. Only three fortified bridges connected it to the land. However, in summer, people could sometimes walk across parts of the rivers.
Caen also had two large, fortified abbeys on either side of the city. These could help defend against attackers. The city was defended by 1,000 to 1,500 soldiers, many of whom were skilled crossbowmen. There were also many armed townspeople. Raoul, the Count of Eu, the most important military leader in France, was in command.
The English Attack
On July 25, the English offered Caen a chance to surrender. They promised to spare the lives and property of the people if the town and castle were given up. But the town council refused and put the English messenger in prison.
The English army arrived outside Caen early on July 26. They quickly took the undefended abbeys. Edward planned to attack the old town first. He didn't want to waste time building siege machines because his army didn't have any.
Count Raoul of Eu first planned to defend the old town and the castle. But wealthy citizens convinced him to move the defense to the Ile Saint-Jean after the English arrived. This quick move was a mistake. Important defenses were forgotten in the rush.
Storming the City
When the English saw that the old town was undefended, they quickly took it. A small group was sent to block the castle, which had 300 soldiers inside. Edward then changed his plan to attack the defended bridges leading to the new town.
As the English soldiers got into position, they became eager for treasure. They rushed the bridges before Edward gave the order. The attack was supposedly led by the Earls of Warwick and Northampton. But they had little control over their troops. Edward ordered a retreat because his army wasn't ready, but his men ignored him.
Hundreds of English soldiers charged across the bridges. A fierce fight broke out. The river was low, so English longbowmen and Welsh spearmen waded across the water, even while being shot at by crossbows. They stormed the defenses along the riverbanks. The French defenders were spread too thin and couldn't hold their ground.
The English broke through and entered the new town. They attacked the bridge defenders from behind, causing the French defense to collapse. Some senior French officers escaped to the castle. Others barricaded themselves in a tower. Most of the fleeing French soldiers were killed. Only a few wealthy fighters and townspeople were captured, including the Count of Eu.
After the Battle
Looting and Destruction
The English army began to loot the town fiercely. They burned most of Caen to the ground and took thousands of livres (pounds) worth of valuables. About half of the town's people were killed, and the rest fled into the countryside. At least 2,500 French bodies were buried in mass graves outside the town. The total number of deaths was said to be over 5,000. The English had very few casualties.
The looting of Caen lasted for five days. During this time, Edward tried but failed to capture the castle. He also visited the grave of his ancestor, William the Conqueror, who was buried in Caen.
Captives and Future Plans
Several important French noblemen were captured. They were held prisoner for years before being ransomed. The Count of Eu, for example, stayed a prisoner in England until 1350. When he returned to France, the French king had him executed.
The English also found a French document that showed King Philip had ordered Norman raiding parties to attack the south coast of England. The English used this document for years to encourage anti-French feelings among their people.
Moving On to Crécy and Calais
The English army left Caen on August 1. They marched south towards the River Seine and then towards Paris. A month after taking Caen, the English won another battle at Battle of Blanchetaque, crossing the Somme river.
On August 28, the main French army, led by Philip VI, was completely defeated at the Battle of Crécy. This battle resulted in a huge loss of life for the French. Edward III ended his campaign by laying siege to Calais. Calais fell after twelve months. This gave England an important port in northern France, which they held for two hundred years.
