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Siege of Calais by King Edward III, Hundred Years War
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Siege of Calais by King Edward III, Hundred Years War
Scene towards the end of the Siege of Calais by King Edward III, with the six Burghers on the right, during the Hundred Years War. According to legend, Queen Philippa intercedes on behalf of the Burghers, and their lives are spared.
1347
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Media ID 23149910
© Mary Evans Picture Library
1340s 1347 Burghers Calais Chronicle Chronicler Froissart Hostage Hundred Interceding Kneel Kneeling Legend Lives Mercy Philippa Sacrifice Siege Spare Spared Victory Years 14th Intercede Intercedes
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This evocative print depicts a pivotal moment towards the end of the Siege of Calais in 1347 during the Hundred Years War between England and France. In the scene, King Edward III of England (r. 1327-1377) stands triumphantly in the foreground, surrounded by his soldiers, having successfully captured the fortified port city from the French. Six burghers, or citizens, are seen on the right, kneeling in submission, their lives reportedly spared due to the intervention of Queen Philippa of Hainault (1293-1369), Edward's consort. According to the chronicles of Jean Froissart (c. 1337-1405), a renowned French chronicler of the period, Queen Philippa, moved by compassion, pleaded for the lives of the burghers, offering herself as a hostage in their place. The king, touched by his wife's selflessness and sacrifice, granted their mercy. This act of mercy, which has become a legendary episode in the Hundred Years War, highlights the role of royal women in influencing the course of events during this tumultuous period in European history. The print, from the Mary Evans Picture Library, offers a vivid and intriguing glimpse into the Middle Ages, capturing the essence of an age marked by chivalry, courage, and the complex interplay of power and compassion.
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