The siege of Cambrai was undertaken by an English army led by King Edward III of England during September and October 1339 in the early stage of the Hundred Years War.
[1] In 1339, Cambrai became the centre of a struggle between supporters of the Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor, and William II, Count of Hainaut, on the one hand, and those of king Philip VI of France on the other.
Edward had asserted his rights to the throne of France, openly defying the authority of Philip VI.
The defence of Cambrai was provided by the governor Étienne de la Baume, grand master of the crossbowmen of France.
On 23 October, the armies of England and France faced each other across the plain between La Capelle and Buironfosse.