content_output-080_7 (Q6668)

“No use has yet been made in France, in 1547, of that terrible weapon against men. The French used it with good effect against some castles in 1338, but they would blush to employ it against their fellow-creatures. The English, less humane, without doubt outstripped us, and made use of some at the celebrated battle of Crecy, which took place against the troops of King Edward III. of England, who was so spiteful and treacherous that he plagued Philip de Valois and his troops to the last; and the greater part of the terror and confusion was occasioned by the cannon, which the English used for the first time, and had placed upon a knoll near the village of Crecy, and to which the French assign their defeat.”