| In the Hundred Years' War, Edward III of England landed some 4,000 men-at-arms and 10,000 archers (longbowmen) on the Cotentin peninsula in mid-July 1346, ravaged lower Normandy, marched south, and was set upon by Philip VI of France, who wielded 12,000 men-at-arms and numerous other troops. In the ensuing battle at Crécy-en-Ponthieu on this day, Edward III, along with his son Edward the Black Prince, met and repelled Phillip's assault. Italian crossbowmen in Philip's service began an assault ... |