Clarence took over the Abbey of Sainte-Trinité as his headquarters. The French garrison began demolishing buildings outside of the walls to avoid giving cover to the attackers, however two large monasteries were still being prepared for demolition when the English vanguard, led by Thomas of Lancaster, Duke of Clarence, arrived. The upper or old town with its castle, the Chateau de Caen, stood on a hill, overlooking the lower or new town, which was almost completely surrounded by a loop in the River Orne. The recently improved defensive walls had a total of twelve gatehouses and thirty two towers. His first objective was the city of Caen, the second largest in Normandy with a population of up to 40,000. Henry's plan was to capture and garrison the major cities and towns of Lower Normandy, before moving on towards Paris. The English army landed on the coast of Normandy near Deauville. A 16th-century drawing of the fortifications of Caen, showing the upper town and castle on the left and the lower town, surrounded by a loop in the River Orne, on the right.
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