Battle of Caen 

The Battle of Caen on 26 July 1346 was an English victory. It paved the way for ongoing successes for Edward III’s force which included the famous victory at Crecy a month later and the significant siege and capture of Calais.

Edward III’s invasion of France in 1346

On 11 July 1346, the largest English fleet to date had embarked from Portsmouth for France. It landed on the Cotentin Peninsula the following day, setting out on a Chevauchee into Normandy. The English fleet shadowed the King’s march, destroying coastal villages in a bid to immobilise France’s navy through a simple lack of supply. On land, the French withdrew in the face of Edward’s advance. The bulk of the French forces had assembled to the south, leaving only small garrisons along the Normandy coast. 

Edward’s army headed toward the town of Caen. A major port by medieval standards, it was a walled town with a castle. The French Constable, the Count of Eu, decided to reinforce the town and face the English there.  

Battle of Caen, 1346

Edward’s army arrived outside Caen on 26 July. Instead of sticking to formulated defence plans, the French began a rapid redeployment. They left 300 men within the citadel but began to withdraw from the walled town to an island in the Odon. A fortified bridge linked the island to one side of the river. These limited defences were to prove inadequate, especially as the riverbed was fordable due to a very dry summer.  

Disaster for the Count of Eu

The reasons for the change of defensive plan have been speculated upon. Perhaps it was due to the towns richest men owning property on the island, maybe a misguided strategic decision, possibly miscommunication. The outcome is not speculated upon. The Battle of Caen was an unmitigated disaster for the French, despite the assault by the English being wholly ill-disciplined. 

Chaos at Caen and the English victory

As the English realised that the walled town was left undefended, the order was given to quickly occupy it. At the same time, the English army saw the movement of the French towards the island and, rather than waiting for orders, attacked. Men charged across the bridge, and others waded through the muddy riverbed. The chaotic scene became an impossible one for the French. With the walled town now in English hands, their defence of the bridge was open to attack from the rear.  

The battle of Caen quickly became a rout. Thousands of French infantrymen were cut down as they tried to flee the scene. The Constable of France, the Count of Eu, was taken prisoner. Caen was then subjected to 5 days of having been sacked by the rampaging English army. The castle in Caen, however, managed to hold out for some time.