A late 19th Century illustration of Queen Philippa pleading for the citizens of Calais. Edward III claimed the kingdom of France, beat the French in the battle of Crecy and besieged Calais for a year. When the town surrendered Edward threatened death to the town's population unless six town chiefs brought the town keys to him. When they handed him the keys,the king ordered them to be put to death. However, Edward's wife, Queen Philippa fell upon her knees, and besought the King to give them up to her. The King replied, "I wish you had been somewhere else; but I cannot refuse you."
A late 19th Century illustration of Queen Philippa pleading for the citizens of Calais. Edward III claimed the kingdom of France and with his army beat the French in the battle of Crecy. After the year long siege of Calais, the twon surrendered. Edward threatened death to the town's population unless six town chiefs brought the town keys to him. When they reached Edward's tent, they handed him the keys of the gates, and the king ordered them to be at once put to death. However, Edward's wife, Queen Philippa fell upon her knees, and besought the King to give them up to her. The King replied, "I wish you had been somewhere else; but I cannot refuse you."
Size: 3300px × 4887px
Location: Calais, France
Photo credit: © De Luan / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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