One of the most famous works of the sculptor Auguste Rodin was “ The Burghers of Calais .” The sculpture makes reference to a partially confirmed story in British and French history. In 1346, the English king Edward III laid siege to the port city of Calais, hoping to establish a beachhead for his forces, but also to draw the French king into open battle and defeat him. The English allowed the women and children to leave Calais, but the French king never showed up to fight, and so the resulting siege lasted almost a year.

In August 1347, the men of Calais, starved almost to death, surrendered. Edward insisted the six most prominent leaders of the city come forth with nooses around their necks and hand over the keys of the city, whereupon they would be executed. Edward’s wife, French b

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