The earlier portion of this historical period is one that the English can be justly proud of. Many historians and writers emphasize the victories and achievements of England during these years. Battles like Crecy and Poitiers, as well as the deeds of the Black Prince, are remembered in great detail Edward’s Orders to the Black Prince.
Even today, these successes are celebrated, and English writers often present them with strong pride and admiration. At the same time, French writers, both historically and in modern times, have sometimes tried to downplay these accomplishments. They have attempted to argue that the victories were not as significant as English accounts suggest.
The Danger of Exaggeration
While it is natural to celebrate successes, there is a risk of exaggeration. English writers and teachers sometimes focus so much on the victories that they forget or overlook the losses that followed.
For example, children are taught the heroic stories of the Black Prince and the great battles of Crecy and Poitiers at an early age. But they may not learn, until much later, about the speed and severity of the reverses that often followed those victories. Many of these English gains were temporary and were later lost due to strategic setbacks or French resistance Ephesus Day Tours.
The Military Genius of the Two Edwards
Despite the reverses, the skill and courage of Edward III and his son, the Black Prince, were extraordinary. Their military genius was recognized across Europe, and their campaigns were well-planned and effective.
It is unfair and historically inaccurate for French writers to portray the two Edwards as merely violent, sneaky, or unscrupulous. Some writers have gone so far as to deny Edward III’s courage, despite it being a common and expected quality of leaders and soldiers in that era. The successes of these two English kings were not accidents, nor were they solely the result of luck or numbers—they were the result of skill, strategy, and leadership.
Misrepresentation by Opponents
Some French historians have tried to depict the victories as if they were the result of weak leadership on their side rather than strong leadership on the English side. They often use derogatory descriptions, suggesting that Edward III and his son relied on brute force or underhanded tricks instead of military skill.
However, this view ignores the reality of the campaigns. England’s early successes in France were achieved through careful planning, discipline, and courage. Even if the French eventually recovered some territory, it does not diminish the quality or significance of the earlier English victories.