2-376-532 - Historica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images

The Siege of Calais, France, 1346-1347 (1864). During the Hundred Years War, Edward III (1312-1377) of England laid siege to Calais, which he regarded as an ideal base from which to bring in supplies to his army in France. The city held out from September 1346 until August the following year, by which time its population was starving, before finally surrendering. Calais then remained in English hands for over 200 years before being recaptured by the French in 1558. During the siege Edward III fought incognito under the banner of Walter de Manny (1310-1372), 1st Baron Manny, who is pictured behind the king with his banner.