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To save the life of everyone else,
six people must die.
Then who should die?
The Six Burghers
In the 14th century, during the Hundred Years’ War
The French city Calais was besieged by English troops
Even though the city blocked attack from the English troops for over one year,
"we cannot expect more reinforcements!"
In the desperate situation, they finally surrendered.
Delegates from Calais asked King Edward III for mercy.
Then
the king accepted the offer with conditions.
"I'll save every citizen's life in Calais.
However, someone has to take responsibility for the rebellion."
"Responsibility?" The delegates kept silent.
"Six leading burghers should be hung to death."
The burghers of Calais heard the news in a square.
"Who on earth would volunteer to die?"
"But if some people do, the rest will spare their lives."
The burghers got into confusion.
At that time,
A person slowly rose up from his seat.
"I want to be one of the six people."
The richest man in Calais, Eustache de Saint Pierre.
"The burghers of Calais, come up with courage."
Then
five people volunteered to be hung to death.
Wealthy noblemen: a mayor, merchant, lawyer and among others.
Six men to be killed on behalf of the citizens were chosen.
And on the following day,
the six volunteers gathered early in the morning.
As requested,
they were stripped to their shirts with ropes around their necks.
they slowly turned their steps toward the scaffold
to save Calais and its burghers.
However,
at that time when they were about to be executed,
thanks to the pleas of Edward's pregnant Queen,
the king spared their lives.
The short story was recorded by a historian.
The courage and self-sacrifice of the six burghers
became the symbol of
"Noblesse oblige," ethical obligation associated with high rank
and have been passed down.