That was about six hundred years ago যুদ্ধ at that time there were frequent wars between the English and the French. There were great heroes on both sides — the story of their amazing heroism was heard by people in European countries and abroad in amazement.
King Edward III of England was then fighting in France with a very large army. To the north of France, on the coast of England, there is a town very close to England, called Calais. The city has been under British eye for a long time - because, if it could be captured, it would be very convenient to travel to and from France. Edward surrounded the city from both sides of the water. There were not many feudal lords in the town of Calais, but the forts there were terrible. It is surrounded by high walls — huge canals outside the walls প poles in front of each gate — that poles can be rolled up from inside the fort. At that time there was a cannon মানুষ people die in its shelling but the fort does not break. So it was not easy to capture the fort by force. But Edward was not too busy for him — he blocked the city streets, pitched a huge tent, and waited day after day in peace. The point is that when all the food inside the fort is gone and the people inside are gradually exhausted, they will give up on their own; There will be no need to make a fuss.
When the people of Calais saw the British encircling the streets, they sent children, the elderly, the disabled and the weak, and the women out of the city. Then for some time there was a quarrel between English and French. The French meant that food would reach the inside of the fort from the outside চেষ্টা the English tried not to let that food enter at all. It was almost impossible for food to reach the shore — because the English had a very strict guard there. The English warships always sailed to the sea, but in the dark of night, avoiding them, the French sailors would occasionally bring bread, meat, vegetables, etc. to the city. Two sailors named Monrat and Mestriel showed amazing courage and bravery in this work. Not once, not twice, they provided food for the city for a long time. How many times did the British try to catch them, but each time they evaded the English ships and fled.
Six months passed in this way, but the people of the fort did not leave the fort until they left. Then King Edward became somewhat busy. He brought more people and built forts on the shores of the sea, put up very strong guards there, and set up large stone-throwing machines on the hills by the sea. Is it possible to enter the city by boat? When the way to get food was blocked, the people of the fort also began to suffer from hunger. As they became weak, they began to suffer from various diseases. However, they sometimes tried to bring food from the British camp in groups, but there was very little involved. Despite months of starvation, the castle's soldiers defended the fort with astonishing vigor এক one of their hopes was that King Philip of France would come with feudal lords to help them.
One day the truth was seen that a French army had arrived some distance from the city. When the people of the fort saw their colorful flags and white tents, who saw their joy! They thought, our so many days of suffering were successful. However, when Philip came and found out where the British were, he saw that it would not be easy to remove the British from here. There are only two entrances to Calais, one right by the sea — on which side the great English warships stand guard round the clock. Another way is to cross the river on a pole — the English have settled on that pole. The great warriors are ready to build a fort at the mouth of the pole with archers in it — they will leave no one to survive. Apart from this, all the other wetlands, it is a difficult thing for the army to cross through.
Philip then sent an envoy to the English camp and proposed, “Come! Come to the open field and fight with us. ” Edward replied, "I've been waiting here for a year now, and I've had enough." The people of the fort have been overwhelmed for so long, now I am not ready to give up such an opportunity for your sake. You find your way. ”
Talks between the two parties continued for three days, but no settlement was reached. Then Philip returned with his men without a fight. Seeing him return, the people of the fort were devastated. The hope in which they had forgotten all the troubles for so long, now that hope is no more. Disappointed, they proposed a treaty.
Edward said, "I am ready to make a treaty, but you have made me suffer, I have sunk many ships, I have lost money and time, and I have suffered many other losses." I will not leave without taking revenge. The condition of my treaty is that the people of the fortified city of Aikal must give up all the money in my hands — I will impose the death penalty, imprisonment, fines, etc. as I wish, and also know that the punishment I will inflict will not be small or great. ”
The English envoy informed the people of Deccan Cal that they had not agreed to a treaty on such terms. They said, "King Edward himself is a hero. Explain to him that he will never make such an unjust claim." The rich and noble people of the English party then took their side and explained a lot to the king. They told him over and over again how bravely the people of Cal had endured and defended the fort like heroes. Everyone agreed in one sentence that such an enemy should be respected. But Edward's promise is firm. After much deliberation, he softened a little and ordered: "If the people of Cal ask for forgiveness, send six of their representatives - they should come to me with the keys to the castle, barefoot and bareheaded, and be punished on behalf of all." Then I can measure everyone else, but these six are no longer safe. ”
The English envoy again went to the fort and gave this order. The people of the castle are anxiously awaiting the king's command they are stunned to hear this command. Then St. Pierre, the wealthy old man of Cal, said, “Friends, if I can save you with my life, I do not want a happier death than this. I stood as the first of six delegates. ” There was a roar of weeping all over the place — many fell at St. Pierre's feet and wept. And behold, five men came forward and stood beside him, and said, "We are ready to die." Tears welled up in the English ambassador's eyes at the sight — he said, "I will do my best to persuade King Edward to be kind to them." Six delegates were brought to the king's court. They quietly knelt before the king. Then St. Pierre began to say softly, "Our 'Cale' friends have endured so much suffering and saved the castle. We, their incompetent representatives, are giving you the keys to the fort today to save their lives. Now we are completely under your will and order. ”
The people in the assembly stared at them in amazement. All six are elderly; Their bodies have dried up from starvation for a long time, the lines of suffering have fallen on their serious calm faces, one by one they are so weak that their legs tremble, but their minds are still full of energy. Seeing them aroused respect in the minds of the English warriors. Everyone started saying, "They should not be punished and avenged." The one who became the messenger said, "If they are punished, it will be a disgrace to King Edward - a disgrace to the English nation." But Edward's mind did not melt — he ordered the executioner to be called. Then Queen Philip of England wept among the captives, and lifted up her hands, and besought the Lord Jesus, and said to Edward, "Release them." Then Edward could no longer say no.
After releasing the six heroes, the queen took them to her own house, fed them with pleasure, and sent them away with various gifts. The French have not forgotten their heroism even today — the English have also remembered it.