The Battle of Sluys resulted in utter devastation for the French. Hindered by the crowded inlet, they were unable to maneuver effectively. Edward, capitalizing on the situation and with the wind in his favor, launched a relentless attack. English longbowmen rained arrows down on the French ships from elevated platforms, while English prows rammed into the immobile French hulls. The longbowmen paused their barrage to allow men-at-arms to board and engage in fierce hand-to-hand combat. The battle raged on for nine grueling hours, culminating in the capture of 230 French ships, including the flagship, and the sinking of the rest. The French admirals lay dead amidst the wreckage, and it was said that the fish in the harbor would have spoken French,
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Despite the fierce resistance, the prince and his allies eventually prevailed after a grueling and bloody struggle. Meanwhile, King Philip's leadership faltered as the day wore on, allowing his army to descend into chaos. By daybreak, roughly a third of the French forces lay dead on the battlefield, with the conflict extending well into the night. Among the fallen was King John of Luxembourg of Bohemia, who, despite being blind, had insisted on joining the fray to land at least one blow with his sword. His followers had tied their horses' reins to his own so as not to lose him in the melee. None of them survived the brutal engagement. The following day, their bodies were discovered, with the knights found huddled around their commander and their horses still tethered together. After King John's body was tenderly cleansed and shrouded in linen, the Bishop of Durham presided over a solemn Mass in his memory. His legacy lived on through his armorial emblem—three ostrich plumes—and the motto "Ich Dien," which the Prince of Wales adopted from him. As dawn broke over Picardy, a thick fog descended, a common occurrence in late August. The earls of Arundel, Northampton, and Suffolk, leading a band of mounted knights, set out to search for King Philip and other high-ranking French leaders who might be attempting to flee. However, they stumbled upon a large group of French troops, including prominent religious figures such as the Grand Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and the Archbishop of Rouen. Initially mistaking them for their own countrymen, the English soon realized the truth. With no mercy shown, nearly all of the troops, along with the clergy, were mercilessly slaughtered, resulting in a death toll that far exceeded that of the main
Despite the fierce resistance, the prince and his allies eventually prevailed after a grueling and bloody struggle. Meanwhile, King Philip's leadership faltered as the day wore on, allowing his army to descend into chaos. By daybreak, roughly a third of the French forces lay dead on the battlefield, with the conflict extending well into the night. Among the fallen was King John of Luxembourg of Bohemia, who, despite being blind, had insisted on joining the fray to land at least one blow with his sword. His followers had tied their horses' reins to his own so as not to lose him in the melee. None of them survived the brutal engagement. The following day, their bodies were discovered, with the knights found huddled around their commander and their horses still tethered together. After King John's body was tenderly cleansed and shrouded in linen, the Bishop of Durham presided over a solemn Mass in his memory. His legacy lived on through his armorial emblem—three ostrich plumes—and the motto "Ich Dien," which the Prince of Wales adopted from him. As dawn broke over Picardy, a thick fog descended, a common occurrence in late August. The earls of Arundel, Northampton, and Suffolk, leading a band of mounted knights, set out to search for King Philip and other high-ranking French leaders who might be attempting to flee. However, they stumbled upon a large group of French troops, including prominent religious figures such as the Grand Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and the Archbishop of Rouen. Initially mistaking them for their own countrymen, the English soon realized the truth. With no mercy shown, nearly all of the troops, along with the clergy, were mercilessly slaughtered, resulting in a death toll that far exceeded that of the main