Calais : an English town in France, 1347-1558

The first comprehensive history of Calais under English rule, casting new light on the development of its vigorous political and commercial society. The capture of Calais by Edward III was an exploit which, coming shortly after his victory at Crecy, carried his fame as a warrior to the furthest corners of Europe. The melodramatic incident at the end of the siege with the leading citizens pleading for their lives brought the king even more public notice. Equally well known is the sad remark of Mary Queen of England in 1558 that, following its loss to the French, the name of Calais would be graven on herheart. This book fills in the gap between these two milestones. It allows the reader to understand not only the military and political importance of the town for the English but also its key role in the English economy. Utilising the richness of the personal sources surviving, from the mid fifteenth century to the last years of English rule, it also provides a more intimate picture of the vibrant life of the town with its crowds of courtiers, soldiers and merchants all enjoying and profiting from the opportunities offered by 'an English town in France'. Dr SUSAN ROSE is an Associate Lecturer at the Open University. Edward Iii's Capture Of Calais, Coming Shortly After His Victory At Crecy, Carried His Fame As A Warrior To The Farthest Corners Of Europe. The Highly Charged Episode At The End Of The Siege, When The Leading Citizens Were Brought Before Him To Plead For Their Lives And The Town Was Spared, Added Further To Edward's Reputation. Equally Well Known Is Queen Mary's Claim, Following The Loss Of Calais To The French In 1558, That On Her Death The Name Of Calais Would Be Found Engraved On Her Heart. This Book Explores The Two Hundred Years Between These Two Events, Giving An Understanding Of The Military And Political Importance Of The Town For The English, And Its Key Role In The English Economy. Utilising The Richness Of The Personal Sources Surviving From The Mid Fifteenth Century To The Last Years Of English Rule, It Also Provides A More Intimate Picture Of The Vibrant Life Of The Town, With Courtiers, Soldiers And Merchants Enjoying And Profiting From The Opportunities Offered By 'an English Town In France'.--jacket. England And France In The Mid Fourteenth Century -- The Siege And Capture Of The Town : Edward Iii And The Burghers Of Calais -- A New Ruler And A New Regime : The Town And The Garrison In The Early Years Of English Rule -- Setting Up The Staple : A New Role For Calais -- Triumph And Disaster : Henry V, The Collapse Of The Anglo-burgundian Alliance, And The Resurgence Of France -- Calais As A Base For Political Intrigue : Yorkists, Lancastrians, And The Earl Of Warwick -- The Heyday Of The Company Of The Staple : Merchants And Their Lives -- Religious And Political Change : Henry Vii, Henry Viii, And The Reformation -- The Town And Trade : The Later Fortunes Of The Company Of The Staple And Of The Johnson Partnership -- The End Of The Story : The Loss Of Calais To The French. Susan Rose. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 175-181) And Index. "The capture of Calais by Edward III was an exploit which, coming shortly after his victory at Crecy, carried his fame as a warrior to the furthest corners of Europe. The melodramatic incident at the end of the siege with the leading citizens pleading for their lives brought the king even more public notice. Equally well known is the sad remark of Mary Queen of England in 1558 that, following its loss to the French, the name of Calais would be graven on her heart. This book fills in the gap between these two milestones. It allows the reader to understand not only the military and political importance of the town for the English but also its key role in the English economy. Utilising the richness of the personal sources surviving, from the mid fifteenth century to the last years of English rule, it also provides a more intimate picture of the vibrant life of the town with its crowds of courtiers, soldiers and merchants all enjoying and profiting from the opportunities offered by 'an English town in France'. Dr SUSAN ROSE is an Associate Lecturer at the Open University." -- Provided by publisher CONTENTS ......Page 6 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ......Page 8 ABBREVIATIONS ......Page 9 PREFACE ......Page 10 Introduction: England and France in the mid fourteenth century ......Page 12 1 The siege and capture of the town: Edward III and the burghers of Calais......Page 18 2 A new ruler and a new regime: the town and the garrison in the early years of English rule......Page 34 3 Setting up the Staple: a new role for Calais......Page 50 4 Triumph and disaster: Henry V, the collapse of the Anglo-Burgundian alliance and the resurgence of France......Page 65 5 Calais as a base for political intrigue: Yorkists, Lancastrians and the earl of Warwick......Page 84 6 The heyday of the Company of the Staple: merchants and their lives......Page 106 7 Religious and political change: Henry VII, Henry VIII and the Reformation......Page 123 8 The town and trade: the later fortunes of the Company of the Staple and of the Johnson partnership......Page 145 9 The end of the story: the loss of Calais to the French......Page 164 CONCLUSION......Page 183 BIBLIOGRAPHY ......Page 186 INDEX ......Page 194 CONTENTS 6 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 8 ABBREVIATIONS 9 PREFACE 10 Introduction: England and France in the mid fourteenth century 12 1 The siege and capture of the town: Edward III and the burghers of Calais 18 2 A new ruler and a new regime: the town and the garrison in the early years of English rule 34 3 Setting up the Staple: a new role for Calais 50 4 Triumph and disaster: Henry V, the collapse of the Anglo-Burgundian alliance and the resurgence of France 65 5 Calais as a base for political intrigue: Yorkists, Lancastrians and the earl of Warwick 84 6 The heyday of the Company of the Staple: merchants and their lives 106 7 Religious and political change: Henry VII, Henry VIII and the Reformation 123 8 The town and trade: the later fortunes of the Company of the Staple and of the Johnson partnership 145 9 The end of the story: the loss of Calais to the French 164 CONCLUSION 183 BIBLIOGRAPHY 186 INDEX 194 1843834014,9781843834014 Boydell Press