The battle of Crecy, 26th August 1346, is one of the most famous of the Hundred Years War.A hard fought battle, the English army under Edward 111 turned to face the pursuing, numerically superior, army of the French. The English took up defensive positions on a gentle slope where the French attempted to crush the with their vastly greater numbers. Repeated attacks failed to break them and caused many French casualties. The young Black Prince in command of the right wing was so hard pressed that he had to be supported by men of Northamptons division. Fighting went on till late in the night and the following day late arriving French contingents were intercepted and defeated. The French army under King Philip V1 at the outset of the action comprised some thirty to forty thousand combatants. With them were several Kings and heads of state of other countries plus foreign mercenaries including several thousand Geonese crossbowmen, ruthlessly ridden down by their own side when they were repulsed by the English archers and deemed to be in the way of further attacks. Edwards army is thought to have been some twelve to fifteen thousand strong, about half of whom were archers. There were some foreign knights amongst the array and some guns. At the end of the day King Philip, who had retired wounded earlier, left some seventeen to eighteen thousand dead on the field. English losses comprised some forty knights and an unknown number of common soldiers, probably no more that two or three hundred altogether.

All these 54mm model knights depict named individuals who took part in the battle and display their correct heraldry. Great trouble is taken with these figures to show the accurate dress for the period. Knights and soldiers of this time are most often depicted in attire that was not to evolve for at least another fifty years after 1346. Crecy was fought at a time of transition in style of dress. Elements were still in evidence of the earlier, more decorative harness, which was giving way to plainer, more functional looking armour. Surcoats were becoming shorter and of equal length all round but were still more loose, particularly from the waist down, than the familiar tight style more associated with the battle of Poiters ten years later. The bascinet was developing and becoming deeper with visors now more common. Plate armour was not yet widespread and leather and mail were still very much in evidence. Each figure is only supplied as one particular person and are only available painted.* The paint finish on cloth has a slight sheen, the armour being polished and lacquered. A large amount of hand assembly and finishing goes into each figure.

Along with Northampton he commanded the left wing.

Kings standard bearer at Calais in 1349 and according to some authorities he carried the standard at Crecy also.

Oxfords retinue. His son carried the standard of de Vere at the battle.