The Battle That Shaped a Century: Poitiers, 1356 Hundred Years War Documentary

By 1356, the Hundred Years' War had been raging for two decades, a conflict born from territorial disputes and claims to the French throne. Edward III of England laid claim to the French crown through his mother, Isabella, a French princess, which challenged the legitimacy of the Valois dynasty in France. Edward, the Black Prince, eldest son of Edward III, was a key figure in the English war effort. In 1355, he led a devastating chevauchée through southwestern France, a scorched earth strategy aimed at crippling the French economy and morale. The Battle of Poitiers remains an indelible lesson in military strategy, a tale of triumph against all odds. It's these epic battles, these grand narratives that captivate our imagination centuries later. How would you like to step into a different kind of epic, one filled with chivalry and legendary heroes? We're briefly leaving the battlegrounds and journeying to the mythical realm of King Arthur. Pre-registration is already open, and you won't want to miss this opportunity to forge your own Arthurian legend. Wasn't that a thrilling glimpse into the world of knights and legends? But why just witness the spectacle when you can be a part of it? After all, every legend starts somewhere. Here's your chance to turn that somewhere into right now. Transport yourself to the Arthurian age today, and start building your own epic story with King Arthur. Legends rise. Become a Camelot legend through the link in my description, and pre-register today to stay up to date on the latest news. Oh, and did we mention the launch rewards? Pre-register now to receive a free legendary character that would make even Merlin proud. Follow at PlayKingArthur on all socials to be in the loop for all things Arthurian. In early 1356, Edward resumed his raiding campaigns from his base in Bordeaux. His forces included about 6,000 men, a mix of longbowmen, men-at-arms, and allied Gascon troops. These raids not only weakened the French territories, but also goaded the French into open conflict. King John II of France, known as John the Good, sought to restore French honor and reclaim lost territories. Gathering a large and well-equipped army of about 14,000 to 16,000 troops, including heavily armored knights and crossbowmen, John aimed to confront and defeat the English invaders decisively. His army was mobilized to defend the northern territories and counter the English raids. Throughout the summer of 1356, both armies engaged in a series of maneuvers and smaller skirmishes. Edward's forces moved north from Bordeaux, laying waste to several villages. This movement was strategic, as it forced the French to spread their forces thinly to defend multiple points. The Black Prince's tactics relied on speed and surprise, with his forces often outpacing the French and avoiding direct confrontation until they reached a This strategy culminated in the decision to take a defensive position near Poitiers, where the terrain would provide a significant advantage. By September, the English had established a strong defensive position near Poitiers, utilizing the natural landscape of hedges, woods, and marshes to fortify their lines. This choice of battleground would force the French to attack uphill and through narrow channels, negating their numerical advantage. King John II led his army into the confrontation that would become the Battle of Poitiers. Born in 1330, Edward, the Black Prince, was a seasoned warrior by the time of the battle, having already distinguished himself in earlier battles such as Créchet in 1346. Known for his tactical acumen, the Black Prince was the linchpin of the English strategy at Poitiers. The English army consisted of around 6,000 troops, including longbowmen, the backbone of the English force. They could launch deadly volleys of arrows that could penetrate armor and disrupt enemy formation. Each longbowman could fire up to six arrows per minute, significantly outpacing the French crossbowmen. The English force was bolstered by Gascon troops. Led by the Capitale de Buche, a Gascon nobleman, these allies were instrumental in augmenting the English numbers and adding to their tactical flexibility. King John II ascended the French throne in 1350. His reign was marked by the internal strife and external challenges, not least of which was the ongoing conflict with England. Determined to reclaim lost territories and restore French honor, John II personally led his army into battle at Poitiers. The French army at Poitiers was significantly larger than the English force, comprising about 14,000 to 16,000 troops, including knights and men-at-arms. The French cavalry, known for their heavy armor and powerful warhorses, were the elite of the French nobility. Their preferred tactic was the massed cavalry charge. Charles the Dauphin led one of the French divisions during the battle. Jean de Clermont and Arnoult d'Adrien were Marshals of France and played significant roles in the command structure. The Black Prince's decision to fight on foot was crucial. The English knights could move more freely and maintain strong defensive positions. The French, adhering to traditional notions of chivalric warfare, placed great emphasis on the shock value of cavalry charges. The terrain at Poitiers, with its hedges and marshes, further nullified the French numerical advantage and cavalry tactics. The English forces took up a defensive position on a small rise near the fields of Montpetui, approximately four miles south of Poitiers. The battle commenced in the early morning, around 8am. The French army, significantly larger than the English force, approached their English position with confidence. King John II ordered his cavalry to lead the initial assault. The challenging terrain immediately began to disrupt their formations. The heavily armored French knights charged up the slope, only to be met with a devastating volley of arrows from the English longbowmen. The effectiveness of the longbow, which had already been demonstrated at the Battle of Crecy, once again proved lethal. The French cavalry was decimated and their charge broken. Undeterred, King John II ordered a second wave, this time consisting of infantry and dismounted men-at-arms, led by his son, Charles the Dolphin. The assault also faltered under the relentless arrow fire and the disciplined defense of the English troops. The Dolphin's forces were eventually forced to retreat, causing confusion and panic within the French ranks. In the ensuing chaos, a massive portion of the French 3rd Division, commanded by Philip, Duke of Orleans, abandoned the battlefield, taking with them all four of John's sons. This left the remaining French forces in disarray and a weak third assault was easily repelled by the English. As the French forces regrouped for a fourth assault, the English executed a critical maneuver. A small, mounted force of 160 men, led by the Capitol de Bouches, had been positioned to flank the French from the rear. Many French soldiers believed they were surrounded. This caused a panic that quickly spread through the ranks. In the melee that followed, King John and a substantial number of French nobles were captured, King John refusing to flee, fought valiantly until he was surrounded and taken prisoner by the English. The aftermath of the Battle of Poitiers was profound. The English victory and the capture of King John II led to political turmoil in France and significantly strengthened the English position in the war. The French were forced into negotiations, resulting in the Treaty of Bretigny in 1360, which ceded vast territories in France to the English. However, the war would continue intermittently until its conclusion in 1453. The Battle of Poitiers had profound and far-reaching consequences for both England and France. The English victory not only bolstered their position in the Hundred Years' War, but also led to significant political and social upheavals in France. The English treated King John with chivalric respect and he was taken to England, where he was held for ransom. In 1360, the Treaty of Bretigny was signed, which marked a temporary pause in the hostilities. Under the terms of the treaty, France ceded significant territories to England, including areas in the north and southwest of France, and agreed to pay a massive ransom of 3 million gold ecu for the release of King John II. The eventual outcome of the war, with the French victory in 1453, was still far off, but the Battle of Poitiers remained a significant chapter in this prolonged struggle.