Battle of Poitiers 1356 • Late Middle Ages
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Battle of Poitiers

Late Middle Ages French defeat
Historical significance:

Summary

The French, numerically superior, attack in four waves but are repulsed by a well-organized English defense. A surprise counterattack by the Black Prince on the French rear triggers their collapse. King John II is captured.

Historical context

Following an English chevauchée in Guyenne, King John II assembles a large army to intercept the English force near Poitiers; the French, unaware of the Prince's positions, engage in a battle handicapped by English infantry and enclosed terrain.

Tactics

Deployment in four French waves, defensive English formation supported by longbow archers, small elite mounted forces surprising the French rear, fatal encirclement of the king.

Consequences

Capture of the King of France and the nobility, financial and political disaster. The Treaty of Brétigny (1360) cedes vast territories to England. Establishes the Duchy of Guyenne and inaugurates the deterioration of the French nobility.

Location

Place : Nouaillé-Maupertuis, near Poitiers (France)
Coordinates : 46.576°N, 0.34°E

Related battles

Battle of Lunalonge

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A small local battle in Saintonge: a French force attempts to intercept an English convoy returning from a raid, but falls into a well-prepared ambush.

Defeat

Battle of Saintes

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A pitched engagement near Saintes between French forces led by Jean de Clermont and English troops occupying the region. The battle turns in favor of the French after a decisive cavalry charge.

Victory

Battle of Auberoche

1345

On October 21, 1345, the Battle of Auberoche constituted one of the most brilliant tactical victories of the entire Hundred Years' War and the military masterpiece of Henry of Lancaster, Earl of Derby. This battle saw an elite English force of around 1,200 men triumph against a French siege army of around 7,000 men, a French numerical superiority of almost 6 to 1. The initial situation seemed hopeless for the English: an English garrison entrenched in the castle of Auberoche was besieged by a powerful French army commanded by Louis of Poitiers. Henry of Lancaster, informed of the critical situation, organized a daring and perfectly coordinated counterattack. The English attack, launched at nightfall to maximize the effect of surprise, combined several tactical elements in a remarkable manner: the English archers, positioned on a height dominating the French camp, systematically bombarded the French positions, creating confusion and inflicting significant losses. Meanwhile, the English infantry attacked from the front, while a cavalry charge, bypassing the French camp by a ford, struck the French from the rear. This coordinated attack on several simultaneous fronts completely disorganized the French army, which, surprised and attacked from all sides, fell into panic. The French rout was total: around 1,000 dead or wounded, many knights captured including Louis de Poitiers himself, while English losses were minimal. This victory, obtained against a vastly superior force, demonstrates the absolute tactical superiority of English methods and marks a major psychological turning point in the war.

Defeat