Calais

Calais is a town and  port in northern Franc. Calais was a territorial possession of England from its annexation in 1347 until its capture by France in 1558.

Evelyn describes Calais, in the entry from 11th November 1643,  as:

“Calais is considered an extraordinary well-fortified place, in the old castle and new citadel regarding the sea. The haven consists of a long bank of sand, lying opposite to it. The market place and the church are remarkable things, besides those relics of our former dominion there. I remember there were engraven in stone, upon the front of an ancient dwelling which was showed us, these words in English—”God save the King,” together with the name of the architect and date. The walls of the town are substantial; but the situation toward the land is not pleasant, by reason of the marshes and low grounds about it.”

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• Wednesday 11 November 1643

• Wikipedia article on Calais

• Wikipedia for background.