King Edward III of England invaded France in 1346, to regain his rights in France and to improve his European political standing. He landed in France and marched in the direction of Paris, stopping twenty miles away from the important French capital city before turning north towards Ponthieu, a duchy which had once belonged to Edward, leading the French north to what would become the Battle of Crecy.
Now, suppose Edward had planned instead to assault Paris itself? Bringing along as many troops and supplies as he could collect, suppose Edward attacked the French at Poissy, leading to a pitched battle to wrest Paris from his cousin, King Philip VI of France, and leave himself with a bargaining chip to regain his lost French holdings.
Firstly, would such an effort have been feasible? Secondly, could it have succeeded?
Now, suppose Edward had planned instead to assault Paris itself? Bringing along as many troops and supplies as he could collect, suppose Edward attacked the French at Poissy, leading to a pitched battle to wrest Paris from his cousin, King Philip VI of France, and leave himself with a bargaining chip to regain his lost French holdings.
Firstly, would such an effort have been feasible? Secondly, could it have succeeded?