Edward III invaded France in September 1339 with a force that included Dutch and German mercenaries paid with borrowed money. Their shortage of food and threats to leave put pressure on him to obtain a battle. Philip VI proposed a confrontation but ultimately did not appear, denying Edward the decision he needed. Edward could no longer afford to stay and withdrew, leaving Philippa in Ghent as security for loans. Supplies and credit could defeat an ambitious invasion without a major battlefield encounter.
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Why Edward III's 1339 invasion ran out of time
Hungry mercenaries and exhausted credit made Philip VI's refusal to fight an effective response to Edward III's invasion.