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THE HUNDRED YEAR'S WAR (1337 - 1453) |
| THE BATTLE OF POITIERS : 19th SEPTEMBER 1356 | |
| Poor scouting had
put prince Edward into a far more difficult situation than Crecy, but he
managed to find a defensive position just north of Nouaille wood. This lay
in ground broken by vines and other agriculture, behind a hedge, protected
by the woods to the rear, marsh on the left flank and on the right, open,
flank a hillock and wagon fort.
No map can accurately depict his deployment, as grounps of men-at-arms and archers were scattered in the cover. Edward may still have been trying to escape, as early inthe day the baggage was taken across the river miossion. |
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This encouraged a cavalry charge led by 200 picked knights under the command of two French marshals, Clermont and Audrehem, along the road and at a gap in the hedge. It failed due to English bowman shooting the horses, aiming at their unprotected rumps if they were barded. Then the dauphin's battle advanced on foot, and hard fighting ensued along the line. Once more the French were thrown back, with heavy casualties, The third battle, presumably mounted to exploit any retreat by Edwards men, gave up the fight for lost and dispersed. With difficulty, the prince held his men back from pursuit. Finally, King John led up the reserve of dismounted men-at-arms, probably still equal in number to Edwards exhausted force. The prince seized the initiative and mounted up his men-at-arms and many archers, also sending the Captal de Buch with a cavalry flank attack around the hillock. While the English fought with desperation, the Gascons arrived with a shout in the French rear, so that they broke under the pressure. Around 3000 French were killed and King John was captured in the melee, along with many of his nobles and some 1000 more worth a ransom. Despite the French attempts to counteract English tactics, they still delivered separate attacks which were defeated piecemeal. |
| LINKS |  |
| An
account of the battle of poitiers
An account including some pictures of coins Another interesting site
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