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What historical event does The Burghers of Calais commemorate?

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Portrait of Auguste Rodin standing indoors, wearing a buttoned, two-toned coat with a full beard and tousled hair, looking slightly to the side. — Auguste Rodin French sculptor Auguste Rodin.

Auguste Rodin’s famous sculpture, The Burghers of Calais, commemorates a pivotal event during the Hundred Years’ War: the 1347 surrender of Calais to the English king Edward III.12

Following a grueling yearlong siege that left the city’s population starving, Edward III demanded that six of the city's leading citizens—the burghers—sacrifice themselves to save the rest of the inhabitants. These men offered themselves to the king, appearing with ropes around their necks and carrying the keys to the town and castle. They were ultimately spared after the intervention of the English queen, Philippa of Hainaut, who successfully pleaded with her husband to show them mercy.12