Crécy-en-Ponthieu

Crécy-en-Ponthieu, or CRESSY, a village in the French department of Somme, on the Maye, 12 miles N. of Abbeville. Crécy is celebrated on account of the brilliant victory obtained here, 26th August 1346, by Edward III., with 40,000 English soldiers, over a French army amounting, according to Froissart, to 100,000 men under the command of the Count of Alençon. In this great battle, one of the most honourable to English prowess recorded in history, perished the flower of the French chivalry, as well as the blind king of Bohemia, who was fighting on the side of France. Altogether about 30,000 of the French soldiers bit the dust. In this battle the Black Prince distinguished himself greatly, and gained his spurs (see the article ICH DIEN). Pop. 1382.