Miniatures

Crecy

Crecy 1346,  About the Battle

The battle Crecy, 26th August 1346, is one of the most famous of the Hundred Years War.  A hard fought battle, the English army under Edward III turned to face the pursuing, and numerically superior army of the French. 

The English took up defensive positions on a gentle slope where the French attempted to crush them with their vastly greater numbers.  Repeated attacks failed to break the English and caused many French causalities.   The young Black Prince in command of the right wing was so hard pressed that he had to be supported by the men of Northampton division.  Fighting went on till late in the night and the following day, late arriving French contingents were intercepted and defeated.

The French army, under King Phillip VI, at the outset of the action comprised some thirty to forty thousand combatants.  With them were several kings and heads of state of other countries plus foreign mercenaries including several thousand Genoese crossbowmen.  The crossbowmen were ruthlessly ridden down by their own side when they were repulsed by the English archers and deemed to be in the way of further attacks. 

Edward’s army is thought to have been some twelve to fifteen thousand strong with about half of these being archers.  There were some foreign knights amongst the array and some guns.  At the end of the day, King Phillip who had retired wounded earlier, left about seventeen to eighteen thousand dead on the field.  English losses comprised some forty knights and an unknown number of common solders, probably no more than two to three hundred altogether.

Crecy, About the Range

All these 54 mm model knights depict named individuals who took part in the battle and display their correct heraldry.  Great trouble is taken with these figures to show accurate dress of the period. 

Crecy was fought at a time of transition in the style of dress.  Although older elements were still in evidence such as the more decorative harness, these were giving way to plainer, more functional-looking armour.  Surcoats were becoming shorter and of equal length all round but were still looser (particularly from the waist down) than the familiar tight style more associated with the battle of Poitiers ten years later.

The bascinet was developing and becoming deeper with visors now more common.  Plate armour was not yet in widespread use and leather and mail were still very much in evidence.

Each figure is supplied as only one particular person and are available as painted only.  The paint finish on cloth has a slight sheen, the armour is polished and lacquered.  Each figure is  the consequence of a great deal of hand assembly and finishing. 

New releases will regularly be added to the collection.  All are available as boxed sets of six or as individuals.  Some characters are depicted more than once, e.g. on foot and mounted.

Crecy Range Of Collectors Heraldic Knights - English

Crecy Range Of Collectors Heraldic Knights - French