Children Stories - The Brave Men Of Calais

Military Training.ca - Download the EBook Secret Service

Informational

Privacy

Featured Stories

The Little Robber Girl
The Boy Who Cried Wolf

The Brave Men Of Calais

from True Stories Of Wonderful Deeds

Many years ago, King Edward III of England took the town of Calais from
the French king. He could not take it by force, for the walls were very
strong, but he succeeded by another plan. He placed his soldiers all
round the walls, and would let no one go into the town to take food to
the people. Inside the walls, the people waited bravely, but at last all
their food was eaten, and then they knew that if they tried to hold the
town any longer they would starve.

So the governor sent word to King Edward that he would give up the city,
and begged him to have mercy on the people.

But Edward was angry. "Tell your masters," said he to the messenger,
"that I will not spare the people unless six of the chief men come out
to me, with their feet bare, and ropes around their necks."

At this sad news, the poor starving people cried aloud. But soon six
brave men were found who were ready to die for their countrymen, and,
with their feet bare and ropes around their necks, they went out to the
place where King Edward was waiting, with Queen Philippa and the English
nobles.

"Great king!" said the men, "we bring you the keys of our town, and we
pray you to have mercy on us."

But the king would not listen. "Take them away and cut off their heads,"
he cried angrily. And when his nobles begged him to spare such brave
enemies he would not listen to them.

Then Queen Philippa, whose heart was filled with pity for the poor men,
fell upon her knees.

"My lord," she cried, "if you love me, give me the lives of these men."

King Edward could not bear to see his beautiful queen in tears upon the
ground, so he raised her, saying: "Lady, I wish you had not been here,
for I cannot say you nay. Take the men, they are yours."

Then Queen Philippa joyfully led the brave men away, and gave them food
and clothes, and sent them back to their friends. So they, and all the
people of Calais, were saved.

Next: Wat Tyler
Previous: Canute

Report
Privacy

SHARE

BOOKMARK

Viewed: 664

Featured Stories

Categories

The Brave Men Of Calais