tory. After this the English were out of money and signed atruce (Lace 33). During this truce civil war was taking place in Brittany over its countship. KingPhilips niece Jeanne of Blois, and John of Montfort both claimed the countship. Johnfled to England and acknowledged Edward as the king of France in exchange for hissupport. In 1342 Edward began a chevauchee with 12,000 men, but Pope Benedictintervened in 1343 and persuaded Philip and Edward to sign a truce. The countship stillstood unresolved though and in 1345 Edward resumed the war catching the French bysurprise. Edward had Philips son, John, lead an army against Jeanne and won (Lace 34). The next major battle was fought at Crecy on August 26, 1346. The Frenchoutnumbered the English and fought on horseback. They also wore armor and usedlances and hired Genoese crossbowmen to fight for them. The English army was made upmostly of Yeomen on foot that fought with longbows. Crecy also became the first battleto use gunpowder (Miller 305). Edward strategically placed his army on a hill between aforrest and a river forcing Philip to approach him from only one direction. Philip chasedafter him but was tired and decided to rest. Late in the afternoon Philip realized this washis chance and ordered an attack. He ordered the hired Genoese crossbowmen to proceedin front of the army. They did, but the English began to fire back. The crossbowmanattempted to retreat and ran back toward the Frenchmen. Philip ordered his army to shootthem and the French then charged the English army. Many were killed by the Englishmen at arms who were on foot and armed with axes and swords. The French ended upcharging the English 16 times before Philip realized that only 60 of his troops remained.He then retreated to his castle (Lace 37). The English did not realize the extent of theirvictory until the next morning. When the count was taken the English had lost fewer than100 men, but the French had lo...
