Siege of Tournai (1340)

Siege of Tournai
Part of the Hundred Years' War
Date 23 July – 25 September 1340 Location Tournai, France 50°22′N 3°14′E / 50.36°N 3.23°E / 50.36; 3.23Coordinates: 50°22′N 3°14′E / 50.36°N 3.23°E / 50.36; 3.23 Result French victory Truce of Espléchin
Belligerents
Kingdom of England	Kingdom of France
Commanders and leaders
Edward III	Philip VI
Strength
~23,000 men[1]	Unknown
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

During the Hundred Years' War, after the naval Battle of Sluys on 20 June 1340, in which Edward III of England dealt the French a heavy blow, he went on to besiege Tournai. This city in Flanders was loyal to Philip VI of France.

Edward and his forces reached Tournai on 23 July. Apart from the inhabitants, there was also a French garrison inside. The siege dragged on and Philip was drawing closer with an army, while Edward was running out of money. At the same time, Tournai was running out of food.

Edward's mother-in-law, Jeanne of Valois, then visited him in his tent on 22 September and begged for peace. She had already made the same plea in front of Philip, who was her couisin. A truce (known as the Truce of Espléchin) could then be made without anyone losing face and Tournai was relieved.^[2]

The Siege of Tournai is notable for being an early example of the use of the cannon in European siege warfare.^[3]

Notes[]

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