History
Battle of Poitiers: A King's Ransom
A pivotal battle of the Hundred Years' War where a small English army, led by the Black Prince, defeated the French and captured their king.
What is it?
The Battle of Poitiers was a major English victory during the Hundred Years' War, fought on September 19, 1356, near the city of Poitiers in France. An Anglo-Gascon army of about 6,000 men, led by Edward, the Black Prince, was intercepted by a French army of around 14,000, commanded by King John II of France. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the English forces utilized a strong defensive position and the formidable power of their longbowmen. The battle famously concluded with the capture of King John II, a catastrophic outcome for the French.
Why is it trending?
This battle remains a classic example of tactical superiority overcoming numerical advantage. The English victory, much like the earlier Battle of Crécy, demonstrated the effectiveness of the English longbow against masses of armored knights, changing medieval warfare. The capture of a European monarch in battle was a shocking event that caused a severe political crisis in France and dramatically shifted the balance of power. It cemented the Black Prince's reputation as one of the era's greatest commanders and marked a high point of English influence during the war.
How does it affect people?
The immediate impact on France was devastating. With their king captured, the country fell into chaos, leading to the Treaty of Brétigny, which ceded vast territories to England and demanded a massive ransom for King John's return. This defeat profoundly humiliated the French nobility and crippled the country's ability to wage war for years. For England, the victory brought immense wealth, prestige, and a significant strategic advantage. The battle underscored a shift in military tactics, proving that disciplined infantry and superior ranged weapons could defeat a larger, elite cavalry force.