Ruthless English command met a divided French leadership

Edward III took personal command alongside William de Clinton, a trusted associate who had helped him overthrow Roger Mortimer's regime. Both men appear as experienced, efficient, and ruthless commanders. On the French side, Hugues Quiéret is treated as the more capable admiral, while Nicolas Béhuchet is blamed for the immobilizing formation. Edward remained actively engaged after surviving an arrow wound and led from the front throughout the battle. Both French commanders were captured: Béhuchet was hanged from his own mast, and Quiéret was beheaded in retaliation for earlier violence against English communities.