Contemporary Views of Edward III’s failure at the Siege of Tournai
By Kelly DeVries
Nottingham Medieval Studies, Vol.39 (1995)
Synopsis: All military historical logic indicates that Edward III should not have been defeated at the siege of Tournai in 1340. He had superior numbers, many local allies, good supplies, a relief army unwilling to come to battle with him, and a town on the verge of hopeless starvation. He also had strong morale as he had recently shown himself to be capable of military victory. A similar situation would exist at the siege of Calais in 1346-7, and that siege would be successful. So what happened at Tournai in 1340?
By Kelly DeVries
Nottingham Medieval Studies, Vol.39 (1995)
Synopsis: All military historical logic indicates that Edward III should not have been defeated at the siege of Tournai in 1340. He had superior numbers, many local allies, good supplies, a relief army unwilling to come to battle with him, and a town on the verge of hopeless starvation. He also had strong morale as he had recently shown himself to be capable of military victory. A similar situation would exist at the siege of Calais in 1346-7, and that siege would be successful. So what happened at Tournai in 1340?
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