The Siege of Calais 1346 | Hundred Years War [Episode 6]

In this, the sixth episode of the Hundred Years War series, the Siege of Calais, we’ll discover why Edward III decided to lay siege to Calais and how he achieved it with no significant siege engines……subterfuge & spying is rife in this fascinating story.
If you’ve missed any of the Hundred Years War series, click here for the playlist: • Hundred Years War Series
#Siege #SiegeOfCalais #Calais #HundredYearsWar #1346
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Image credits:
Map © Hel-Hama CC BY-SA 3.0

[@mcgoose258]

constructing an entire town with a market integrated into hostile territory *during a siege* is the most amazing thing I've ever heard about

[@LeadingPaws]

Hey Kevin! I know you read your comments and I’m so glad that you do because I have something good for you. A few years ago before my dog retired, I was working as an explosive detection k9 handler at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. Last night I watched your video and at 15:53 your description flooded my brain with memory and then this morning I started searching and found what I was looking for! This massive piece of artwork by Auguste Rodin of the events you’re talking about at 15:53 is called “The Burghers of Calais”.

[@thehistorysquad]

Wow, I just took at look. He’s really captured the emotion of how they must have felt. Thanks so much for sharing 👍

[@LeadingPaws]

@@thehistorysquad thank you for sharing all your great historical knowledge and personal stories as well as your amazing talents for creating things!

[@Afella]

Recently discovered your amazing channel and been hooked since, especially this series. You have an absolute gift for this my good sir and look forward all the content ahead :)

[@thehistorysquad]

Hey Max, glad you enjoy it!

[@mrav0cadoman162]

And his outfits be 🔥

[@deancain1841]

Same! Love it so much and all the content is so amazingly well made.

[@jonrettich-ff4gj]

You articulate the sophistication of that time brilliantly. Each of your presentations gives an accurate context for what these historical names really represent. Thank you as ever

[@thehistorysquad]

My pleasure, thank you for watching 👍🏻

[@lucdrouin]

I have read that in the Middle Ages, Calais was a nest of pirates eager to attack, notably, ships involved in the commerce between Flanders and England. It therefore makes sense that Édouard III would wish to put an end to that scourge. Doing so, he secured the area for English commerce until 1558, when the French retook it, at which time Flanders was Spanish territory and French piracy was probably more a memory than anything. Well done for the English!

[@thehistorysquad]

Hi Luc, great comment thanks! Just to add to this, if I remember correctly, the Wars of the Spanish Succession put an end to Spanish rule in Flanders 👍🏻

[@markharrisllb]

The numbers are absolutely phenomenal, especially when you think of populations at the time. The intelligence behind the tactics is amazing, so many things to be taken into consideration. I can’t see today's Duke of Lancaster chasing after anyone, she’s a game old lass but at 95? Your analysis of the battles of old are actually helping me understand a lot of the thinking behind the present terrible events. Thank you yet again Kevin, these videos deserve a far bigger audience.

[@thehistorysquad]

LOL, like the comment. Thank you so much Mark, the numbers are beginning to grow 👍

[@andreasmahlzeit5251]

Qqq

[@deancain1841]

I love how you have actual models of everything. This is my new favorite history channel!

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks again Dean, visual aids be they models or artifacts have always been a tool of my trade. They really help to draw an audience in and aid understanding. 👍🏻

[@garyeddings2639]

Being one of those "'Muricans" ( you know how rebellious colonials don't listen!) who knows squat about too much of history, I find your videos absolutely fascinating! Carry on good sir.

[@thehistorysquad]

Will do! Thanks 👍🏻

[@BUZZKILLJRJR]

Crazy little plit twist at the end sounds like a movie !

[@hemaccabe4292]

This was so good. Cornwell should have put this in a book.

[@philslaton7302]

The story rolls on ... for about 100 years. Kevin, nice telling of the story in manageable chunks.

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Phil 👍

[@Boatswainbill]

I had to stop here before episode seven and say this series is amazing. I can’t wait to see the rest.

[@thehistorysquad]

Excellent, glad you're enjoying it, there's still a few more episodes to shoot 👍🏻

[@wolfgangholtzclaw2637]

Looks like from many years back the British are a wily and resourceful group, often outnumbered and on a budget, yet able to gain victory upon victory on a Shoestring. I think this as it continues through the centuries sets them up as world thinkers, yet on a budget, meaning they can't afford to make mistakes, but in budgeting their ideas, plans, and fighting forces become the major force on the seas by the time of the defeat of the Spanish Armada. Amazing History, and good telling Kevin.

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Wolfgang 👍🏻

[@davidnickels3325]

I love these videos. I just found the channel recently. Two of my degrees are in History and I enjoy hearing about events from every time period. Being from the US, and with my own focus, I am less familiar with a lot of medieval English history. I could listen to these videos all day!

[@thehistorysquad]

Hi David, thank you & welcome to the channel 👍🏻

[@zedproductions8467]

Wow, I had such an epiphany moment at the end when you mentioned the Burghers of Calais, one of my favorite sculptures by Rodin. Love when my history knowledge starts connecting!

[@thehistorysquad]

Brilliant, I love history connections too 👍

[@betwandet41]

I’ve binged this whole series today and I’m excited for pt.7 :)

[@thehistorysquad]

Yay! No spoilers though, but I am making another model 😉

[@charlescorris3469]

That was one great king. I also like the way you use an arrow as a pointer.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks 👍

[@uncouthboy8028]

It must have been incredible for morale, knowing the kind of leaders they had.

[@arthurdoucette1786]

Greetings once again from nova Scotia, thank you again for next chapter in the crazy story that is history... I love the passion and personality you bring to the table. I hope this missive finds you well and warm, we are getting pounded by a late winter storm, we got over 40 centimeters so far, and it's still coming down. Thank you once again and as always best regards, Arthur

[@thehistorysquad]

My pleasure! Your storm makes our overnight 2-3cm seem like nothing. Stay warm

[@petehall889]

As a recent subscriber, I have become totally hooked on your films, Kevin. The way you describe the events is masterful. I have always been interested in English history, but I have to say that where my knowledge was but a mere skeleton, you have put the flesh on the bones. Excellent stuff!

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Pete, I'm glad to help and appreciate your comment 👍🏻

[@oliviermosimann6931]

Yes ! You delivered on your promise : That ship model, manned and loaded just made my evening, as well as the storytelling, as usual.. Cheers, matey ! Land ahoy !

[@thehistorysquad]

Haha, glad you enjoyed it. It was fun to do. 👍

[@jakekharn9741]

I'm always waiting with bated breath for when the next video will be posted. Never a dull moment, these videos are a gift that keeps on giving.

[@thehistorysquad]

How lovely, thank you. 👍

[@PeterDay81]

Excellent sir.Have you had a look at Sir John Hawkwood ( c. 1323-1394)?He was an English soldier who served as a mercenary leader or condottiero in Italy. One clever bloke.

[@thehistorysquad]

Hi Peter, absolutely. He's one of my 14th century heroes 👍

[@henryvagincourt4502]

@@thehistorysquad + Very interesting period.

[@theintellectualsamurai7265]

Thoroughly enjoyed this series Kevin, the 100 year war, was one I knew very little about. I do now, and I thank you for sharing your knowledge 🎩

[@thehistorysquad]

Its a pleasure. thanks for watching 👍🏻

[@Loleo2087]

Love ya man ! You make my dreams of being a historian that much more tangible.

[@thehistorysquad]

Great to hear!! Years ago I once suggested to a teacher that I was considering taking a history degree and he replied "Oh no, no, no, please don't. If you do that you will become a product of whatever professor you learn under. At the moment you're a wild card Kevin, and we here at the school just love that.

[@thehilligan]

@@thehistorysquad I failed History O Level-a combination of uninspiring teaching, plus being distracted by some family stuff-& I end up doing Local History Walks & Talks, & currently a book. so yeah- do yer own thing, everyone, & don`t take no for an answer. Another good one, Kevin.

[@thehistorysquad]

@@thehilligan Absolutely, I agree totally. I've been sneered at by some academics, but I know for a fact I've had a much better history experience than them and probably earned a darn sight more too. Good luck with your book Do your own thing @Guts.

[@sharhune2735]

Excellent presentation Kevin. You are a master storyteller and teacher of history. You blend known historical fact with a bit of folklore and it informs listener about what is most likely to have happened. Keep it up my friend. I see your subscriber numbers are climbing. Take care.

[@thehistorysquad]

Wow, thanks very much! I'm loving delivering history this way 👍

[@Toukijin2005]

Wow Edward was a freaking genius! that town erected out of nowhere basically is absolutely brilliant!

[@nikosnicolau1201]

i just love the way you tell the whole stoy of the 100 years war i've wached so many videos of yours and this series is my favourite!! Thank you!

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad you like them Nikos!

[@alanhoff2762]

You're a great story teller. I've enjoyed all of your tails and looking forward to more.

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Alan 👍

[@alanhoff2762]

@@thehistorysquad prost

[@PSDuck216]

Excellent presentation. You are one of a few who make history interesting and seem alive.

[@uglyfrog7263]

OUTSTANDING episode! Thank you as always Kevin.

[@thehistorysquad]

My pleasure!

[@dinodob4430]

Great video as always, Kevin. I love the way you use an arrow for a pointer. :)

[@Hazonic]

Thanks so much for this amazing series Mr Hicks - I'm loving it so far and I hope you continue it much further!

[@thehistorysquad]

That's the plan Hazonic, thank you for watching

[@chriscookesuffolk]

What a superb video this is, I have enjoyed it several times now as well as all the others from this series.

[@thehistorysquad]

That’s lovely to hear Chris, thank you.

[@tomthebomb09]

I just found your channel! What a find! Your gem of a historian! Thank you for uploading such great content

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks & welcome 👍🏻

[@wickspg]

Thank you for this great video series Kevin! I love how you tell the stories and describe the battles. Very educational and fun to watch.

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad you like them! 👍

[@bennybearpitbrawler1455]

So glad I found this channel! Informative and very useful. I would probably play these to my class if I was a teacher. You have a skill of keeping people paying attention!

[@thehistorysquad]

That's so kind thanks 👍

[@Weesel71]

Excellent narration. I've not read much about this event, but now I can stop looking for more! 🙂

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad you enjoyed it! We have a whole series on the Hundred Years War and plenty more to come. 👍🏻

[@victorbukowsky7496]

Just excellent stories, Sir. I had no idea about any of this. Please, continue with these in-depth stories. Fascinating stuff. I only read couple of books on Hundred Years War. And they are always so general, and pretty much the same. This is great details, and just immerses you in that era. Cheers

[@thehistorysquad]

You're welcome Victor, thank you. 👍🏻

[@kennbiggs9311]

Excellent video on Calais Sir Long Bowman Hicks! I finally understand the battle and seizure of Calais! Thank you Sir!

[@thehistorysquad]

You're welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@lanabills4498]

I absolutely Love ❤ this channel...you do a wonderful job. Thankyou

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Lana 👍🏻

[@darrellpratt4479]

Wow. Part 5 and 6 have been my most favourite parts in this series. Absolutely amazing. Cannot wait for more. Your friend from Australia.

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Darrell, that's great - I don't know what's coming next, it'll be a surprise to both of us 😉

[@sinanismail4130]

Thank you for doing what you do, i never really expressed interest in history before stumbling upon your content. Now i can't seem to stop learning about it.

[@thehistorysquad]

Wow, that's great to hear, thank you!

[@brunomunemassa8266]

Incredible how the old artist's depiction of these moments helps us clearly picture the moments you're describing Kevin. Amazing work, loved the video.

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks!

[@williamjhunter5714]

Love your channel, watching one video after a another.

[@thehistorysquad]

That's lovely to hear William, thank you!

[@Aramis419]

Always a pleasure to watch your videos! Fantastic storytelling!

[@thehistorysquad]

Thank you kindly!

[@nicholisredfern7463]

Absolutely exciting this series is! Excellent job teaching the history of this battle, keep it up.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks, will do!

[@kkelsey8811]

Just wanted you to know that your videos are not only informative, but they're are such a nice break from all the awful news and nonsense that I am bombarded with everyday on KZbin and the rest of the net. Truly makes me feel better to open my new videos list and see you, Mark Felton and/or tank museum have a new video up. Thank you

[@thehistorysquad]

Happy to hear that! I'm trying to deliver twice a week at the moment, there's so much history to cover I could go on for centuries 🤣

[@michaelwhite8031]

Love the way you narate these tales.

[@fredazcarate4818]

Thank you Sir for producing a brilliant video lecture on The Hundred Years War. It was extremely enjoyable. Kudos! 👊👍

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks Fred. There's a whole series to be watched and I'm just shooting another episode today 👍🏻

[@thehistorysquad]

Will do 👍🏻

[@RustyyMann]

Brilliant. Eagerly awaiting the next.

[@dixiefallas7799]

Brilliant Kevin cheers this is one of the best channels on KZbin! Fantastic.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks!

[@floydstowe]

I love listening to a great story about history and the way you tell it is extraordinary thanks for your time

[@thehistorysquad]

It's my pleasure, thanks for listening. 👍

[@bluffkyle]

Thank you for this Kevin! Always very interesting

[@thehistorysquad]

My pleasure!

[@ajzillaproductions816]

You are amazing!Simply beautiful with what you are doing here!This is history explained at its finest and you are helping me understand my GCSE course much better!Keep up the smashing work!

[@thehistorysquad]

Hey, thanks very much, and good luck with your GCSEs! I used to deliver history workshops in British schools, so I know the kind of pressure you're probably under. 👍

[@stephensmitherman5243]

Thanks for bringing history to life.

[@stephenlovelock5563]

Hi Kevin keep up the amazing job you are doing with your videos, I love history especially the wars right up to modern times ww11 being my favourite,the way you tell the stories is so inspiring,mate keep up the awesome content,well done mate.

[@thehistorysquad]

That's lovely Stephen, thank you. I'll do my best 👍🏻

[@feagal612]

Loving your channel, thank you very much for your work. Big hugs :)

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers 👍🏻

[@raslion4362]

Again, twnety minutes felt like five! Keep up the good work. Love these videos.

[@thehistorysquad]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@bobbypugh2666]

Cheers sir, another excellent well done video. We here in the States get to hear very little of our cousins. I've been blown away with Edward III and his massive plans. The organization he would have had to keep all parts going.

[@thehistorysquad]

That's for sure, he was quite a genius and I have lots more of his stories to share 👍🏻

[@anastasialudwika]

Amazing video as always!!!❤

[@clanhill1]

I’m greatly enjoying this series, and am happy I found this channel. I’ve subscribed! I would love to see a series like this on the War of the Roses.

[@thehistorysquad]

Excellent, thanks for your sub and welcome to the channel. It's only me & Julie, but as soon as we've completed the 100 Years War series, I'll be moving on into the Wars of the Roses 👍🏻

[@johnvanstone5336]

Splendid series and wonderfully presented and explained

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad you're enjoying it 👍🏻

[@bertbigballs]

Thanks Kevin for another enthralling history lesson.

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@rafaeltinajero]

Thank your for this video I watched it all what a great video I enjoy this type of history

[@thehistorysquad]

My pleasure! Glad we managed to keep you till the end. 👍

[@shaunallan9558]

Simply put ...fantastic

[@kiwifruit27]

Awesome stuff, love your channel

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Kiwi, I'm glad you're still enjoying the content 👍

[@dustinness]

i just found your channel, and it is very splendid, as i am a big fan of the medieval topic, now i am looking forward to more medieval facts

[@thehistorysquad]

Excellent, welcome aboard!

[@rikijett310]

Fascinating, fascinating history 👍👍

[@BrunoDeMarques]

Such a good story! Crazy times, the XIV century

[@paulroberts2800]

I absolutely love your history channel your knowledge you have is incredible the way you make us viewers feel as tho you've literally lived it!.. please 🙏 make more of this history that I love so much bless you Kevin paul of cheadle

[@thehistorysquad]

Hi Paul, thanks for your kind words. There'll be more on the 100 yrs war series, I just got a bit side tracked. I have a model in the making at the moment but am waiting on some towers to be delivered. I'll give you a clue, it's a siege 👍🏻

[@warjunkie8242]

Finest explanation of this battle I have ever heard .your so good at storytelling. You could make an instruction manual interesting.

[@thehistorysquad]

Wow, thanks! 🤣

[@mickusable]

Great entertaining video Kevin, loving your work, as I’ve said before yourself and Prof Mick Aston (don’t know if you knew of him) are very much alike with how you explain things in laymans terms, respect to you both, shame Mick’s no longer with us.

[@thehistorysquad]

Cheers Mick, yes I do remember Mick👍

[@user-we8mu7lf6x]

Wow awesome video! Great job!

[@thehistorysquad]

Thank you very much!

[@johnpauldavis1967]

keep em coming Kev - awesome story telling :-)

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks, will do!

[@M29WeaselDriver]

Thanks for another excellent video!!!

[@thehistorysquad]

You're welcome 👍

[@bogdang5950]

Sir, you have an excelent channel! Please keep them going.

[@thehistorysquad]

That's the plan for sure!

[@GingerCnut]

Absolutely brilliant. If only we had some of those kinds of leaders these days.

[@VioletJ.Vengeance]

Wow ty I love your channel! 🦋

[@thehistorysquad]

So glad! 👍🏻

[@lisaconner7609]

Thanks once again Kevin

[@jnewty2499]

Just got a compound bow for my birthday this past weekend, thank you for inspiring me to take up archery!

[@thehistorysquad]

How absolutely lovely....I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. 👍🏻

[@kacperprzylucki2091]

I love these videos, keep up the good work!

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks, will do!

[@silverload3622]

Great story telling and love the wardrobe and models thank you

[@thehistorysquad]

You are so welcome!

[@thomasbezemer2956]

You got the perfect voice for story telling

[@garychynne1377]

truth is stranger than fiction. pretty tricky tactics your pointing out. thank yew kevin

[@thehistorysquad]

Hey Gary, glad to see you back here - it was a fascinating siege for sure. 👍

[@Lotrprofessor1500]

excellent video yet again!!

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks again!

[@jaapiekrekel9651]

Nice storytelling👌. Subbed and liked.

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks for the sub, I appreciate it 👍🏻

[@steveaumann6335]

Kevin this is another great video 👍🍺I’m learning more history now than I did in high school 😂.thank you.

[@thehistorysquad]

You're welcome, cheers Steve 👍🏻

[@resnonverba137]

A very interesting series, thanks for upload. There seem to be lots of French and Italian precedents being set here :)

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad you like them!

[@peterreece6547]

Aye Kevin, keep them coming.👍👍🏹🏹

[@rudejase]

Top-notch video.

[@bartholomus9548]

Wow, how has Edward lll not had a major movie made about him. These events would seem to be his most impressive in my opinion

[@thehistorysquad]

Absolutely, I totally agree!

[@willa.9261]

Wow, what a story! Heck of a real life drama.

[@MrPotiros]

Rewatching all of these as a french, it's really painful but too interesting to look away unfortunately...

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks Kevin. We're moving on in this series and as time goes by the French army do achieve a number of successes, some of which I will be covering over the coming months. 👍🏻

[@evanwilliams9588]

Thank you for doing your small part in keeping history alive. I’m American, but it wouldn’t be a stretch for me to assume my ancestors could’ve been apart of this siege or any other medieval battle. My grandma has our family tree coming across the Atlantic from Cork, Ireland in 1848

[@thehistorysquad]

Interesting 👍🏻. Are you just of Irish descent?

[@evanwilliams9588]

@@thehistorysquad we’ve got Scotts and Native American blood as well.

[@polo_sheridan2869]

Let’s take this channel to the moon!!!!!!!

[@thehistorysquad]

Oh, thank you so much!! Please share any of the videos wherever you can, it all helps the YT algorithm 😉 👍

[@polo_sheridan2869]

@@thehistorysquad Will do sir!

[@kane211]

Love your videos and I love history

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks buddy, me too. 👍🏻

[@andrewrice2376]

Excellent video, the situation and events described so well as ever, Kevin. You can see the sheer logic of the move to Calais. Take the city, then you have a fairly secure and well-defended base from which to work, and of course easy to resupply your forces. However, the bastions would have created a serious impediment to Edward taking it, as it breaks an army up, rather than being able to hit a full front in total force. The way Edward took advice from his retinue is also impressive, for example the idea of the building of a fort at the entrance of the haven and how they kept the smaller craft away from the coast and into the path of the English vessels. And of course, intelligence such as was intercepted, is vital in such a war. Would be nice to know what made the French panic like that, though, perhaps the work of spies spreading false rumours, I wonder?

[@thehistorysquad]

Thanks Andrew, I wondered about false rumours myself, it's certainly a possibility 👍🏻

[@Hitmanx55]

Fantastic history retelling. I'm serious, it's riveting

[@thehistorysquad]

Glad you think so! Please share if you can and help me grow the channel. Cheers buddy 👍

[@dperson9212]

Dan Jones has two excellent fiction books (Essex Dogs and Wolves of Winter) about this campaign, the first covering Crecy, the second the siege of Calais.