Following Edward III's victory in the Battle of Crécy in 1346, he laid siege to Calais. King Philip VI of France failed to lift the siege and Edward offered to spare the people of the city if six of its leaders would surrender themselves to him. Edward demanded that they walk out wearing nooses around their necks, and carrying the keys to the city and castle. Although the burghers expected to be executed, their lives were spared by the intervention of England's queen, Philippa of Hainault.
Following Edward III's victory in the Battle of Crécy in 1346, he laid siege to Calais. King Philip VI of France failed to lift the siege, and starvation eventually forced the city to parley for surrender. Edward offered to spare the people of the city if six of its leaders would surrender themselves to him, presumably to be executed. Edward demanded that they walk out wearing nooses around their necks, and carrying the keys to the city and castle. One of the wealthiest of the town leaders, Eustache de Saint Pierre, volunteered first, and five other burghers joined with him. Although the burghers expected to be executed, their lives were spared by the intervention of England's queen, Philippa of Hainault, who persuaded her husband to exercise mercy by claiming that their deaths would be a bad omen for her unborn child.
Size: 3508px × 4536px
Location: Calais, France
Photo credit: © De Luan / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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