The Merciful Mother of Calais

At the beginning of the Hundred Years' War, King Edward II of England was in Normandy claiming the kingship of France, but his army needed renewed supplies, reinforcement and aid from Flanders, so they withdrew northward.

In September of 1346, Edward's men approached Calais and made preparations for a drawn-out siege. For a whole year the city was besieged by Edward's troops, but he too lost many men. By August, starvation finally forced the French to give up, but Edward would not accept their surrender unless six citizens of Calais came before him, each with a halter about his neck. He asked for the keys of Calais and that these men accept to receive a punishment however severe.

The entire population prayed to Our Lady of Calais; those who could knelt at her shrine. No one wanted to give up his life in such a way, but eventually 6 volunteers came forward as demanded. The King's advisors pleaded with him to spare the men, but in vain. Then Queen Philippa, kneeling before Edward, pleaded: "My lord and husband, I have crossed the sea through many dangers to be with you. Let me now pray you to have pity on these six prisoners."

The king declared: "Madam, I wish you had been elsewhere today. I cannot reject the request you make of me..." The king humbled himself at his queen's request and spared the town. Our Lady of Calais was ever more than before the merciful Mother of Calais.