HistoryExtra podcast Medieval Stalingrad: The siege of Calais
Nov 10, 2023
Dan Jones discusses the brutal siege of Calais during the Hundred Years' War and reveals why those trapped inside the city considered turning to cannibalism. The podcast explores the historical significance of the siege, the condition of the English Army after the Battle of Crecy, and the strategic importance of the town. It also discusses the blockade tactics used during the siege, the hardships faced by the citizens, and the negotiations for surrender.
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Calais Was The Campaign’s Hidden Continuation
- The Siege of Calais followed immediately after Crécy and extended the same campaign for nearly a year.
- Dan Jones argues the siege is as historically significant as Crécy despite being less visually dramatic.
Sieges Reveal Long-Term War Realities
- Long sieges look like waiting but reveal inventive wartime practices and forbearance.
- Jones highlights sieges as revealing sustained human and logistical resilience rather than picturesque moments.
Pirates Kept Calais Supplied
- Jones recounts a pirate 'Berlin airlift' that supplied Calais during the siege.
- A gang from Belle-Ile ran a sophisticated operation keeping the city fed despite the English blockade.