This Day in History: 1355-11-02

On 2nd November 1355, the forces of Henry, Duke of Lancaster, lord of Pontefract, and his future son-in-law, John of Gaunt, landed at Calais along with Edward III’s army, Prince Lionel of Antwerp and one thousand mercenary soldiers from the Netherlands and Germany. Edward III intended to confront John II of France regarding, amongst other things, full English sovereignty over Aquitaine. Edward, the Black Prince, had belatedly set sail for Aquitaine directly that September.