st more than 10,000 common soldiers and more than1,500 knights and nobles including King John of Bohemia, the Duke of Lorraine, theDuke of Alencon, and the Count of Flanders (38). The next major battle was at Calais on August 3,1347 (Miller 1). Edward tried tosiege calais, but Jeanne de Vienne, the citys commander, held out in hopes that Edwardwould retreat to England in the winter. Edward did not. Instead Edward built log huts tolive in outside the city walls. To support his troops financially he set up a market andsold supplies to local farmers. While in France Edward heard about an attemptedinvasion by King David of Scotland. It was unsuccesful and David was captured atNevilles Cross. Calais was begining to run out of food because the city was surrounded(Lace 39). In early 1347 Vienne sent out 500 people because he was no longer able tofeed them. The English would not let them through though. Philip eventually showed upto defend Calais in July. Philip sent Edward a challenge, but edward refused because hefelt he had the city secured. Philip then left the town to its own fate. The next day Jeannede Vienne rode out of town giving up his sword and the keys to the city (Lace 40). Between the years of 1348 and 1350 the Balck death invaded Europe. Thishorrible disease was spread by infected rats and fleas and killed 1/4 to 1/3 of thepopulation of Europe. Although the disease was most commonly found among the poorin over populated cities Edward IIIs daughterJoan died from it in Bordeaux. This causeda huge deficit in soldiers and caused the war to come to a stand still for five years (Lace41). In 1349 a plot to retake Calais was discovered. The force was quickly put downby a small English army. In 1350 Edward led an English fleet against the spanish fromCastille and won. This would be edwards last victory and major battle. He turned overhis powers to his son Edward the Black Prince just two weeks before Philip of Valoi...
