The Bloody Medieval Invasion of France | Battle of Crecy 1346

On 12th July 1346, a huge English invasion fleet landed on the shores of Normandy. The King of England was here to claim the throne of France for himself.
Historian Dan Jones sets out on a journey across Northern France, following in the footsteps of Edward III and his English army on their Crécy Campaign - one of the earliest and bloodiest raids of the Hundred Years' War.
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[@MythicTales993]

I've never heard this story told so vividly before. Thank you for bringing it to life!

[@brettcurtis5710]

Another great effort from Dan Jones! Love both his and the other Dan (Snow) programmes - my go-to on a rainy day (or any day)!

[@itsnotash69]

In the UK everyday is a rainy day

[@capcompass9298]

@@itsnotash69 ...except for the sunny ones!

[@itsnotash69]

@@capcompass9298 what sunny days 🤣

[@capcompass9298]

@@itsnotash69 Get your dictionary out!

[@dperson9212]

Essex Dogs is as good a book that I've read about that era, its superb. The follow up was excellent too. Looking forward to the 3rd installment.

[@FreddytheRed]

Amazing documentary. Love Dan Jones, absolute baller when it comes to medieval history. I'm starting a History degree next year, it's my dream to be able to do something like this as a career. Thanks for the content HistoryHit.

[@xdizzy12]

Earlier this year we, a group of friends, did a tour of these battle locations, including the alternative sites. Great to get some more details and information about the proposed alternative site of Crecy.

[@bf3075]

Awesome! I bet that was amazing. Was the tour a caravan led by a guide? If so I’d be interested in getting info on setting up a tour. Would you share?

[@xdizzy12]

@@bf3075 It was with Cranenburgh Travel, owned by a friend of mine who is a historian. He organises and hosts historic tours a couple times a year. It's usually in Dutch language (we are Dutch), but given enough demand he could easily do English and German language tours.

[@Deadround34]

U so lucky

[@bf3075]

@@xdizzy12 thank you so much for the info. I’ll certainly see if more people might be interested in doing this also and if so I’ll look at getting in touch. Appreciate the help.

[@paulm3033]

I did the same ,also with friends , visited Crecy and Agincourt, an ambition I've had since I was a boy , it didn't disappoint.

[@mmtelz]

How is this content FREE?!?! Amazing ❤❤❤

[@juancana457]

The pleasure of informing others is very real.

[@paulmilsommusic]

Does Dan Jones make the best medieval vids or what! Thats a rhetorical question...he does. Thoroughly enjoyable Dan. Thank you. From your friend paul

[@patrickbaumgardner2765]

War is brutal, but war with swords, spears, and arrows is freaking insane! Imagine being there, absolutely devastating carnage!

[@prometheusr]

Pure butchery.

[@keithad6485]

Seems the only modern comparison are infantry bayonet charges. Gutsy stuff to resist a bayonet charge with that unforgiving steel aimed for your belly.

[@bohemian-girl]

Yes, this is true. If you see the video on the Battle of Towton, apparently there were twenty eight thousand casualties, in a battle fought at close quarter in mud and winter blizzard conditions. ^^

[@kimberlypatton205]

There are some great doc videos here on YT featuring archaeological finds and forensic assessments of mass graves of medieval battlefields . There is one on the Battle of Towton that is excellent.

[@bohemian-girl]

@@kimberlypatton205 Thank you for the hands up I'll look at it when I find some time ^^💕

[@arg1051]

Never would have looked at this guy on the beach and expected to hear him say, "I've always been fascinated by Edward III's 1346 campaign."

[@MarquisVincentBissetdeGramont]

The fact that it was an English victory must help.

[@ellie698]

One of my favourite poems is set in the battle of Crecy. The Fly by Miroslav Holub

[@laurag7295]

The long bow archers certainly made a difference

[@jonathanboyle6548]

I’ve read that a good description of the war bow (not ordinary longbow) - The cruise missile of its time.

[@robertthomas1717]

Very interesting, I learned a lot. Thanks

[@paulm3033]

Let's not forget that the doctrine of chivalry didnt extend to the common soldiers and the french nobiilty who made up the bulk of the french army ,were particularly contemptible of the english and welsh archers, and would have shown them no mercy whatsoever, its sometimes easy and tempting for the vanquished to claim unfairness .

[@fizzmoe9846]

Let’s also not forget that the idea of chivalrous knights in armor is complete hogwash

[@MarquisVincentBissetdeGramont]

It is said that at the end of the Battle of Formigny (1450), the English archers preferred to fight to the de-ath rather than be captured by the French.

[@dogrudiyosun]

How can bulk of an army be of aristocrates?

[@bradleypierce1561]

Thank you for this video. Always interesting to see the history between England and France. ❤

[@abasudoh7459]

I'm currently reading Essex Dogs

[@DJHalfbarr]

Damn, going to have to pick up the Thomas of Hookton books by Bernard Cornwell again... (Starts with Harlequin/ The Archers Tale and is a great picture of Edward's and his sons Chevauchees of the 100s years war, from the perspective of a group of war bow archers)

[@asburycollins9182]

Those are great! Saxon chronicles are s bit better tho imo

[@jeffreymanestar5319]

Outstanding documentary, so interesting. Thank u

[@djjamestobin]

Great subject matter, great content, great presenter, great visuals, great sound .. thoroughly enjoyed watching this video! Thanks HistoryHit :)

[@shackledcitizen]

Thank you father, well said. keep up giving your message.

[@nataliavinokurova9535]

Thank you very much! The documentary is absolutely amazing!

[@poet.alhashimi]

Excellent documentary, thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@oldbari2604]

The longbow men did not shoot their arrows into the air as your live clips kept showing. They shot them straight at the enemy as the old medieval illustrations you use show.

[@asburycollins9182]

Not exclusively. But youre mostly correct in that assertion

[@along9971]

I just love Dan,both of them lol

[@calvanoni5443]

Thanks this was great!

[@craigcoates6247]

Great documentary, thank you very much

[@craftygnome97]

Love these docs, the music is a real pain in the butt though when your trying to go to sleep

[@kevinmcqueenie7420]

Great video! Just a small (pedantic!) point that Edward The Black Prince, would have been known as Edward of Woodstock around the time of the battle. The Black Prince epithet seems to be applied around the 16th Century, probably referencing his armour or the shield he used in jousting. (Of course I'm sure Dan knows this and is just choosing the more famous name, but for anyone who didn't know, it might be worth something to you!)

[@user-xh6qj4sb2c]

Great stuff. Keep up the good work.

[@helenejampierremarsh1896]

Merci !

[@Medievalshields]

Fascinating and informative

[@Dotson6996]

You guys should do a series on the Sharpe books and series. Show what's taken from history and what's fiction.

[@jamesroberts2216]

I started by wondering if I was going to enjoy this but by the end I was gripped. 👏🏼

[@markg454]

great presentation

[@brutus4013]

Loved it! Cheers 😎🥃

[@zackhartley4718]

Good stuff 😎

[@Pincer88]

This is so well done. An honest and fascinating account of how brutal warfare was and how close it got. Is Dan's book already available by the way?

[@LuzMaria95]

yes I think it is.

[@katherinecollins4685]

Fantastic documentary

[@robertmastnak581]

Very interesting fakts. Thx

[@LuzMaria95]

Dan Jones is awesome and so is the historian Prof. Michael Livingston!

[@taramilton8695]

Excellent documentary!

[@billyt7081]

Wow I've read The Black Prince by Michael Jones, among other "historically accurate" pieces of this time, and there were some real eye openers here.

[@madabouthistory4611]

love history 😎

[@noreenclark2568]

It's nice to see these French town's /, cities when Dan visits the areas where Edward 111 army was in 1346 although modernised now.

[@janpipal9500]

very exciting documentary , hope there might be some archeological finds on this site

[@Conquerthemall]

Wanted view half now half later But to good to watch separate So I will watch later ;)

[@nickwilliamson2365]

Great video. Would have liked more about how and why the 'new' battlefield site can be justified. And 'a senior commander on the French side' said we shouldn't attack based on the disposition of the armies. And who is the quote from? *Blind* King John of Bohemia!

[@mikelanglow-bi2sv]

Very good history lesson ❤😊

[@2serveand2protect]

...and then the Plague came.

[@gregedmand9939]

Before you begin to feel outrage over the English conducting this kind of warfare in the 100 years war, remember this was standard operating conduct by European armies in this time. Those who were so shocked by Edward's army conduct, had a completely different view of their own French military conduct on campaign. There were few conflicts that were black and white, good vs evil wars like we pretend only exist today. These were Game of Thrones wars... Minus the dragons and the White Walker's. With the poor townsfolk and farmers caught in the middle.

[@4362mont]

You can assume my outrage forms at tge speed of light.

[@kerrycooper-dean4243]

I think innocents are still caught up in the crossfire of war today.

[@robbieatvic]

Well said, it's like the brutality of the previous 1000 years didn't exist. Nothing new here. Great show tho really enjoyed it.

[@Gloocar]

Where is the proof that dragons and white walkers didn't exist then?? I don't believe you

[@danielwarren8539]

Yeah. Both the English and French were arseholes.

[@9er..]

Only a matter of time before Sir Scott ( and eventually Sir Jones) make a movie🤞🤞🤞

[@waynestackpoole3652]

I believe the "leopards" on Edwards tabard are the English lion rampant which is still used today. Theres a History Hit.

[@paulm3033]

The sack of Caen was horrible but the french would have done the same if the roles had been reversed and they did in fact do just that but on a much larger and longer scale when William the Conqueror laid waste to vast tracts of land between 1069/70 in what has become known as the harrying of the North .

[@PavelD83]

Blind King John of Bohemia came to Crécy to basically die in battle. He tied his horse's bridle to those of his attendants and galloped at the English into the melee; all were killed.

[@Lokipoisonivi]

Where are these documentaries in the app. I haven’t much choice

[@jonathanboyle6548]

While listening to the monologue we MUST remember that France was the European superpower of the age. The whole script portrays the English as the most powerful country. Is this another attempt by the BBC (it is aBBC documentary) to demean England? It certainly seems to be. Chevauchee was a tactical method of battle by all European armies at the time. The difference is - the English were better at it than any other army.heading from Caen to the northeast was to pull the French army out of Aquitane - Edward’s duchy.

[@Pincer88]

For those wondering: it's called a Chevauchée: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevauch%C3%A9e

[@LuzMaria95]

thanks

[@peterplotts1238]

I would love to see Edward's face if someone told him he was a war criminal due to the conduct of his army in Normandy 21st-century style. I admit I am unduly influenced by the portrayal of Edward in Brave Heart, a telling far from historical, but I loved the character. I can't remember the actor's name, but his depiction was entertaining and funny.

[@DaughterofLir]

The Edward in Braveheart is Edward I. This is much later and is his grandson, Edward III.

[@peterplotts1238]

@@DaughterofLir Oh, that is embarrassing. I should have realized that. The Braveheart Edward I was still entertaining, nevertheless. There are just too many Edwards among the Kings of England.

[@Rod1Malkin]

Excellent presentation!!!!! [+ a very minor side comment. wiki: "Tattoos are meant to be permanent, ... complete tattoo removal is difficult. Some degree of scarring or skin color variation is likely to remain, regardless of the specific method of tattoo removal" ]

[@paulm3033]

It would have been helpful if some of Michael's research could have been referenced in the video to explain his claims for suggesting that the battlefield site was about 3 miles away from the traditional accepted location and that the teenage future Bkack Prince wasnt just under pressure during the battle,but actually captured, as both are pivotal to an understanding of the battleod Crecy . I thoight this was a weakness of the video which was otherwise well presented and informative.

[@garyjohnson4778]

He cited some obscure unsupported French source that was not even present at the battle. This guy is no historian. Even his formation theory is completely unsupported. The guy is just a contrarian looking for a point of difference. He ruined this.

[@Russia-bullies]

During the war,Edward III informed the French king that he would fight him,personally.It was a lie.

[@rolandscales9380]

He pronounced "Saint-Vaast-la-Hougue" correctly! A lot of KZbinrs wouldn't bother to find out.

[@andrasszabo1570]

Dan Jones isn't a KZbinr. He's a proper historian, with the appropriate expectations for himself.

[@Trecesolotienesdos]

Whilst Edward III won hat part of the war, he lost to the French king later in the 14th century.

[@jonathanboyle6548]

The whole documentary (23 mins in) appears to demonise the English. Remember Edward Third was a PLANTAGENET. A French duke. That is why the French army was in Aquitaine - Edward was Duke of Aquitaine. Besides, the French used the same tactics. Also remember how the French treated their own subjects at Soissons, also during the 100 years war, before Henry 5th defeated the French at Azincourt to become king of BOTH England and France (unfortunately, he died before ascending the throne).

[@Bobbymaccys]

The more civilised we become, the more horrific our ancestors appear. But at the time this was standard operating procedure.

[@johnnicholas1657]

is this new or old? I feel i have seen some of the sequences here

[@cleverusername9369]

Sad to think that we'll soon lose all of these veterans.

[@jaxellis3008]

Veterans of the Battle of Crecy?

[@cleverusername9369]

@@jaxellis3008 (it's a joke)

[@jaxellis3008]

@@cleverusername9369 Hahaha. Thank God. Sorry to ask but some are truly that daft!

[@cleverusername9369]

@@jaxellis3008 I mean, it is sad to think that we will lose D-Day veterans soon, but also I'm sure there are people dumb enough to see "invasion of France" and immediately think "D-day" and they're probably American. And I'm American, so I can say that.

[@jaxellis3008]

@@cleverusername9369 and sadly you are not wrong 🤓

[@victorydaydeepstate]

What did his boats look like?

[@GeorgeTenev]

I respect historical accuracy and this is exactly why it is ridiculous when they start explaining how massive was an army of 15000 men... I am not going into details you would see that this is nothing, compared to other armies even from this period.

[@deanagarnes2676]

Was war any different from what we are exposed to or experiencing in modern warfare? I feel only weapons have charged. The reason has not changed much either. Someone has something someone else wants, and they are going for it. There will always be those who try to make it right, but they usually lie. Just a thought, mine!

[@otteotte7698]

What music is this?

[@jmwilliamsart]

How many of these medieval buildings, cathedrals, and castle walls survived the destruction of the 2nd World War? Are these medieval cathedrals, walls,and structures the real deal or were they reconstructed after the 2nd World War? How did they reconstruct medieval structures to make them look like how they looked back then?

[@LuzMaria95]

these are all good questions and deserve their own documentary

[@robbyakes8736]

WAR IS EVIL

[@danielmartin7838]

Not inherently

[@laurag7295]

Gee the samecthing happened at Azincourt!

[@StuartAnderson-xl4bo]

No mud happened at Agincourt and poor tactics by the French the use of Longbow has been proven to be formidable but not as overpowering as you were taught

[@ArmenianKingdom]

what is wrong with his arms? leprosy?

[@careyfreeman5056]

Dan looks like Harry Kane's brother.

[@shinow9547]

Been watching this for 32min and 35 seconds and still waiting for them to mention the word berserker…

[@MARVINCOLON705]

Funny how they display that cross

[@donaldgraham6414]

Then French had it coming to them. They should never have taunted King Arthur and Michael Palin like that.

[@golgumbazguide...4113]

Explore Golgumbaz

[@DavoidJohnson]

The enthusiasm shown here for the brutality of the English in their endeavours will be recognised by those in other countries such as Scotland and Ireland.

[@bernhardfraser]

Pathetic.

[@laurag7295]

I would just take tbe W and carry on! Which, I guess Britain did!

[@2serveand2protect]

The King Of Bohemia supposedly said that the French should not attack the English line, because the casualties would be too heavy to bear?? Wasn't the King Of bohemia an old and (most of all) a BLIND man at that time??

[@steveford1070]

1000 ships holding 15,000 soldiers?

[@andrewdurden5230]

None of them knew what 2 years would bring

[@user-hq4xv8cc7v]

You’re talking about the Black Death. I was thinking the same.

[@laurag7295]

I love the regular soldiers then, men who, given a second chance, made something of themselves, their commanding officers and their country😊

[@gio-oz8gf]

Did you not hear the things they did? I doubt you'd have admired them had you been one of the French citizens just going about your daily life. They make the Russians in Ukraine seem like pussy cats.

[@Ashley.Michell22]

What Edward said: DO NOT BURN ANYTHING!!!! What the army heard: BURN IT ALL!!!! Edward: *laughing* what did I say? Oh, you naughty naughty boys. Army: sorry, we won’t do it again.*fingers crossed* Edward: now behave and do exactly what I say *wink wink*😂😂😂

[@TheUltimateWriterNZ]

39:06 Hmmmm….

[@darrenjones3681]

Oh look at my tattoos 😂

[@PSDuck216]

Speaking as a medieval historian and economist: Jones falls into the trap many Victorian “historians” (and others subsequently) have before him: that is to rate events of the past subjectively, from his own modernist views and mores. This, instead of observing objectively, based on the facts (as we know them) from the historical standpoint and the morality of the day, which is markedly different from our own. The medieval median age was about half ours. It was a young, violent culture that encouraged blood sports, and condoned slavery. And not just the English: everyone did it, every country. Remember, Froissart was first and foremost French, pro French, and hardly criticized the French leaders. He wanted to keep his head on his shoulders, after all. I tired of his modernist views, especially “war criminal” observations. Every side, in modernist eyes, was chock full of “war criminals”, from kings, leaders, churchmen and commons. So, Mr Jones, do not tar one side liberally with that appellation. Historians should be objective, not subjective, lest their presentation be labeled a hit piece and propaganda. Just as Mr Jones judges from his personal perspective, we too will be judged in twenty, fifty and a hundred years hence as barbarians if not judged from the point of view of today, not those of future days. Cheers!

[@danielmartin7838]

Annoying and unfair! Or, just ignorant

[@robert-surcouf]

There's one thing about Jean Froissart that many people misunderstand as he was "french" speaker but not french himself as he was born in the county of Hainaut which was in the HRE. The other thing is that many falsely believe the war was strictly between france and england but many duchy in france were loyal or ally with the Plantagenet (the dynasty whic ruled england) rather than with the Valois (the dynasty which ruled france) so their interest was to to portray "england" (more accurately the plantagenet) in a better way than france (more accurately the valois). As Philippa (Edward 3 wife) was from the Hainaut, Froissart was rather pro "english" rather than pro "french". Froissart himself worked mostly for Philippa between 1361 and 1369. In the 1370's and 1380's, he worked for the duke of luxembourg, then the duchess of Brabant, then the count of Blois then the duke of Hainaut (none of them besides Blois were lands in france). He finally worked for the count of Foix (who played both sides in the war) and returned in england in 1395 and it was in that time that he criticized "england" (rather Richard 2 rule). Froissart worked only 2 years at the french court (between 1386 and 1388 when he was under the count of Blois) but spent far more time at the english court so it's a long way to say he tried to please the Valois rulers and the french nobles who supported them.

[@fredengels8188]

we still act as barbarians in many instances

[@Betch6]

"Mhmhmhmhm" 😂😂

[@2times350]

Him falling on the beach sounds a little bit like Caesar falling on the beach propaganda

[@peregrinemccauley5010]

A documentary, starring from left to right; one green arm, one owner, one green arm. Ya gotta look hard to notice this important inclusion to the doco'.

[@bethwilliams4903]

The French Wars, as they should be known, would be in the short run a fine adventure of heroics and plunder for the English and quickly devolved into Free Companies of mercenaries of all stripes, sometimes in the pay of Edward III, more often following their own initiative, to the ruin of province after province, with French (Gascon, Flemish, German, Spanish, etc) companies as well all determined to get theirs. And this, several generations BEFORE Jeanne La Pucelle! The lull in the Wars that was the fitful reign of Richard II only meant when Henry V restated these Wars he did so with a vengeance, and it would be the mistake of all ‘condotterie’ as ANP Taylor once referred to Agincourt Hal. Over a century of sheer hell, chaos and misery, thousands upon thousands dislocated, abused, starved into oblivion, for what? Read up on the Siege of Rouen which was to my mind one of Henry V’s chief war crimes, and explain that one, whatever war is the French Wars epitomized carnage and stupidity.

[@Wonderwhoopin]

he says it wasn’t just about money that some of them did it as a job for the salary 😂

[@danielmartin7838]

There nothing wrong in taking pleasure in your work. Do you think William Marshal would have enjoyed being a cobbler or monk?

[@69JONESYrugby]

Edward was 34.

[@PTAVGG]

Those lands and subjects rightfully belongs to King Edward III, imagine your tenants who lived off your lands but decided to open the gate to your enemy instead of you, they are traitors. English were as usual being the faithful subject to their French overlord despite previous genocide.

[@stephenconnolly3018]

A very French view of history. Too many new ideas without any evidence.

[@Guangrui]

Edward III was by every means a French, wasn't he

[@tibsky1396]

He was English, but his ancestors were Angevins-Normans, but also Capetians by his mother side, and French was the language of the court officially until 1385-1399, before Middle-English rose. The motto in Old French "Honi soit qui mal y pense" comes from him by the way, when he created the Order of the Garter.

[@robert-surcouf]

Henry 4 was the first real english king since Harold Godwinson as english was their first language (middle english for Henry and old english for Harold). Between William 1 and Henry 3, they ruled more lands and people or/and lived a big part of their live in France. Since Edward 1 until Richard 2, the plantagenet empire was no more so they started to focus on the island (mainly against wales, ireland and scotland) and became more and more culturally english but still with strong french roots.

[@DIPSET-DORKBODY]

Ads every 4 minutes.

[@capnceltblood5347]

What??? You mean the French Army never charged the English and all fell down and were killed??? Dan you been telling tales?