Edward trained extensively as a young man, engaging in semi-mock battles in tournaments in England and in France where his father owned estates. Edward was trained as a knight and became a warrior himself, so, coupled with a war-like temperament, he was a natural leader of men.
I was an American soldier and am now a college history professor here in the US. (I teach military history). Your videos are phenomenally well done, outstanding work. (And as someone who also does miniatures/ scale modeling, fantastic job with the ships as well….especially that scratch built galley).
I'm an American (you probably already guessed that from our previous engagements) and while I knew of the 100 Year War, that's about it. I have always wanted to know and thanks to you I will finally get my wish. This is so cool! Thumbs all the way up! My only regret is but I have one thumbs up to give. If I had a thousand, you would have them.
The crew of the Christophe were massacred by the French after surrendering at Arnemuiden. That set the scene. As the French had few men at arms the vast majority of the French defenders were unarmoured and easy prey from the Longbowmen. After the earlier massacre the English, quite understandably showed no mercy.
It’s so refreshing to listen to history come alive. 🎉 I am an American that loves history in particular military history and the Hundred Years’ War is super complicated to me. It’s such a treat to listen to you. Hats off to you, Julie and your son. You make me very happy and grateful for your channel ❤
So far, these 2 episodes have been FANTASTIC. Thank you for these videos, your passion for this history is palpable and contagious :-) Really, really wonderful.
The anecdote about the people saying if the fish could talk they'd be speaking French really sent some chills down my spine. Mr. Hicks definitely has the gift of storytelling. Thanks!
Thanks for the information on sea-bound archers. In the last year and a half, I've read several books on the English longbow, the battles of Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt. I also ran across the battle of Sluys in one of them. It must have taken great aim and patience for the archers to be able to hit their targets when both their ships and the French ships were bobbing up and down and being pushed laterally by the wind. You do a great job with your videos!
The French ships would not move much, being chained together and all, and with the men crowding at the front to fight, they would be one mass of bodies. No idea of the waves at the moment, but it was in the estuary, not open sea.
A knowledgeable and passionate man sitting in front of you, talking about a battle and showing models. I enjoy war history a lot, a this for me was 10 times better than any other video which has cool animation and maps in it. I guess I just generally enjoy analog way more, but i think this will become big. Thank you and looking forward to the next one Kevin!
(after the battle) ... people said that if the fish could speak, they would speak French by now. Brilliant, I'm going to remember (and use) that statement.
You really are quite marvellous and magical. I love your models, and your clear exciting history of battles and characters involved. I have learned more watching your channel than anywhere else! Thank you so much. I am so excited to watch all your episodes, they are stellar. Xxx ❤ 😊
I love your storytelling style, I was aware of this battle but not in any great detail, you've brought it back to life for me, thank you, I only wish I could see your models in their full glory I'm just getting an impression but I love it nonetheless keep up the good work sir
Sir I shall compliment you on following: the model ships excellent in their detail; the use maps spot on; description of both strategy and tactics (no pun intended)a bullseye. Oh the narrative riveting. This elderly gentleman had grin from ear to ear. Thank you for sharing mini documentary. 👊👍
I absolutely love the way you teach. I'm an American who likes history but can have an attention span of a goldfish. However, I have never been so enthralled with history other than watching your channel. I wait for baited breath after every word you speak. I love you Kevin. Thank you for teaching me history my school never did. ♥ Ps: I wish these were longer :p
I just discovered you this morning when RU-vid recommended me your Henry V arrow removal video and I was hooked immediately. I love history. Always have. To a point of obsession sometimes lol. your videos are amazing, informative, and funny at the same time. Keep up the amazing work -new subscriber :)
Lovely video ! But I must admit, I didn't understand why the wind was so important. I did understand the fact that Edward arranged his men more strategically and thus took greater advantage of his numbers, but I'm not sure about the wind part. Awesome videos Mr. Hicks !
I haven't seem the whole video yet, but I must aware you that I'm a brazilian drunk male watching and having an impression that "maybe" this youtube thing isn't worth the effort (even though I've seem many more recent videos of you) so it's a bit funny in a way; Regardless, I finally got the motivation to start the Hundred Years War (which I mostly know from Age of Empires 2 and Wikipedia, maybe some other more in dept sources because we soon learn in life that the nature and the universe are more complex than it may seem) and I'm already enchanted with the concept that the French had a naval victory against the English at the time! What I truly mean is that *never* have doubts about your work, your surely bring forward history as few had before. it's like watching my home country soccer selection playing in their glory days (wink face); jokes apart, thank you Sir, truly. I'll never forget your presentation,will go with my memory to my grave. Pardon my lack of eloquence, I looked it over twice but I'm still not sure xD however I'm sure you'll understand, God bless your soul, could He wish me to give me the opportunity to pay you a pint in gesture and respect for your work and decency. (Edit) well I finished and pardon my naivety, you Sir did a great job. Probably was the view of the first minute, which is a privilege on it's own; a feedback if I can say without being red in my cheeks. The models and map descriptions, really make it real and relatable in way, together with your experience as an archer, hard to tell, combination of these aspects. Thank you, really.
LOL, Thanks Komrade, I have to say I read every word and appreciate your kind comments. If you enjoyed Sluis, you'll love the rest of the series. Best wishes 👍🏻
The Battle of Arnemuiden fought between England and France in 1338 at the start of the Hundred Years War was the first recorded European naval battle using artillery. The English ship Christopher was armed with three cannon and one hand gun.
It’s important to remember Edward III was completely bankrupt at this time and was being hounded to death by creditors. In fact, he basically had to sneak out of Flanders after this battle because Flemish and Italian creditors were threatening to detain him until part of his debt was paid. He had multiple occasions, when in France, where unpaid soldiers were on the point of mutiny. Every last move at this time could’ve pushed him past the point of no return and lost him his crown.
Never heard about Sluys when I was reading about Edward III. With him it's more about Crecy and and his boy wonder, the Black Prince, at Poitiers. The latter matches Agincourt for pulling one out of the bag.
It was more or less a French civil war (The English Kinsg claiming teh French throne and Burgundy helping them) with teh French crown winnning/keeping power.
Wonderful work on the galley model. I tabletop game almost entirely virtually these days and one thing I really miss is getting hands on and building things.
I love your sense of history! Things we have not heard of in text books. You too;are very entertaining sharing your knowledge.Thanks for sharing it with us! (I liked your ship!)
There is a famous naval battle called The Battle of Red Cliffs in ancient China during the Three Kingdoms period, also involving chained ships (you can guess the outcome). Basically Cao Cao, a warlord who controlled a massive army in the North of China, tried to cross the Yangtze River and invade the South with his massive fleet. Being landlubbers, his northern men were unused to sailing, unlike the Southerners who were experts at sailing. The South got a general, Pang Tong, to pretend to defect to Cao Cao's side and to advise him to chain his boats together in order to prevent seasickness amongst his landlubber soldiers. Cao Cao was initially suspicious, but he agreed after thinking that the wind didn't make any fire attack possible. However, the Southerners knew that the wind would soon change and a southeast wind would soon arise, so they got another general to pretend to defect with a bunch of fire ships. When the wind was favourable, the general revealed his true colours and smashed into Cao Cao's chained fleet, causing a great conflagration and destroying all of Cao Cao's men. Cao Cao was no longer able to invade the south after that. This battle is immortalized in the famous novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Anyway I guess the cross-cultural moral is: Never chain your ships together.
Since i follow your channel, i know more of the history of your country than i know of my own. That is not because the history of my country would be uninteresting, but we have no one here that has your gift of make it alife and intersting as you do...
Hi mucker hope you’re well and had a good Christmas. Binge watching the 100 years war series again. Just noticed the lone Tommy on the stern castle. No wonder we smashed them when we had rifles. 😂 Take care mate, hope you have a cracking new year 🎉
Thanks, it makes a few appearances in my videos, but sadly I had to retire the Thomas from service as it sank in the Battle of Winchelsea (part 7 of the series) 😩
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