1349 Late Middle Ages Defeat
Lunalonge, Poitou (France) · Hundred Years' War
A small local battle in Saintonge: a French force tried to intercept an English raiding convoy but fell into a well-prepared ambush. Near Limalonges, Jean de Lille (~1,500 men) intercepted Thomas Coke (~500 Anglo-Gascons); the French held the advantage by day but lost their horses when captured.
1356 Late Middle Ages Defeat
Nouaillé-Maupertuis, near Poitiers (France) · Hundred Years' War
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.
1345 Late Middle Ages Defeat
Auberoche, Guyenne (today Dordogne, France) · Hundred Years' War
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.