Siege of Mercq explained

Conflict:Siege of Mercq
Partof:the Hundred Years' War
Date:6 May 1405
Place:Mercq, Pas-de-Calais, France
Result:English Victory; French attack army routed
Combatant1: Kingdom of France
Combatant2: Kingdom of England
Commander1:
Commander2:Richard Aston
Robert de Berengeville
Strength1:~800
  • 400-500 men-at-arms
  • 50 Genoese crossbowmen
  • 300 Flemish soldiers
Strength2:~500
Casualties1:Heavy
Casualties2:Light

On 6 May of 1405, a French army under the command of Waleran III, Count of Ligny and Saint-Pol besieged the English castle at Mercq in Pas-de-Calais.

Siege

The French siege proved futile as English reinforcements under Lieutenant of Calais Sir Richard Aston arrived with the Calais garrison to counterattack and lift the siege. Although surprised by the English attack the French troops manned the trenches, but the Genoese crossbowmen had no bolts and St. Pol's army suffered losses from English archers. The first to flee were the Flemings, quickly followed by the French and Genoese. Waleran III escaped with remnants of his army, but most were either killed or captured. The English captured all the French artillery, four standards, 60-80 prisoners including Jean de Hangest.

French Nobles Killed

French Nobles taken Prisoner

Sources