Defeated the French at Crécy

King Edward III of England invaded Normandy in 1346 and defeated the French at Crecy.
Suppose Edward III had not defeated the French at Crecy. What happens then?
 
It would have little immediate consequences for England if Edward III lives on or if his son survives. Edward of Wales (*Edward IV) would have succeeded his father quickly enough, and his skills would have seen the chevauchées tactics being used as IOTL.
If both dies however...things would definitely look more grim for England. Lionel of Antwerp was still really young, not sure to survives infancy and chevauchées are likely to be postponed in favour of war by proxy.

Consequences would have been more important for France, as Philippe VI would have seen his prestige definitely established (rather than his legitimacy that was out of question even after the battle for what mattered french nobility and elites). Which may not be a good thing on the long run : himself wasn't that skilled on military matters.
*Edward IV, should he survives, would likely prevents him to really advance in Guyenne (even if partial takes aren't to be written off) and to launch expedition against his allies. That said, I don't see them being that aggressive due to the same issues his father had before Crecy, such as unstable alliances.

A battle similar to Crécy or Poitiers isn't to be written off as well, but I expect *Edward IV to be more cautious, and Philippe to allow his son John II to take more importance (as he was more skilled in battle than Battle of Poitiers may makes him look like) and maybe in a better shape than IOTL.

If Edward of Wales doesn't survives, however, Philippe VI may have a free run to Guyenne and take most of it, as his predecessors did with other Plantagenet holdings south of Loire : piece by piece. That would interestingly make future English focuses more about Flanders, Normandy and Brittany than IOTL in this part of the war.

I would see Philippe VI diplomatic policy being unchanged in its great lines, as with Dauphiné but Jean II may have less patience for Charles II the Bad (seriously, who's nicknamed "the Bad") and could secure more efficiently Normandy.
Eventually, it could get rid of a troublesome pretender that wouldn't hesitate to create havoc at the first opportunity as he demonstrated IOTL.

Flanders may keep on a pro-Valois policy, but it would be at odds with flemish bourgeoisie and cities.

I see little change on pyrenean principalties : Navarre, Foix-Bearn if *Edward IV is on charge of Guyenne, but they may most probably go within Valois sphere of influence in the contrary, at least partially or attempted by the king.
 
Top