Philip VI Arrives Near the Siege of Calais
As King Edward III of England tightened his grip on northern France during the early stages of the Hundred Years' War, King Philip VI marched north with the French army to challenge the English advance. On July 27, 1346, Philip established his camp at Sangatte, just a few miles from the English position, hoping to relieve pressure on the region and confront Edward's forces.
Despite the French king's arrival, Edward III remained firmly in control of the coastal approaches and continued his campaign without being forced into battle. The two armies watched one another cautiously, each weighing the risks of a major engagement. Within weeks, their rivalry would culminate in one of the most famous battles of the Middle Ages—the Battle of Crécy, where English tactics and the longbow would change the course of medieval warfare.