The Battle of Poitiers, fought on the 19th September 1356, was one of the most significant and dramatic battles of the Hundred Years’ War between England and France. It marked a major English victory and a turning point in the conflict, largely due to strategic brilliance and the collapse of French command.
Led by Edward, the Black Prince, the English forces, though outnumbered, managed to defeat a much larger French army commanded by King John II of France. The English troops, consisting of archers, men-at-arms, and mounted knights, utilized terrain, defensive positioning, and longbow tactics to devastating effect, echoing the earlier success at Crécy in 1346.
The French made several aggressive charges, but the English longbowmen and disciplined infantry held firm. Ultimately, the French army was routed, and King John II was captured along with many nobles. His capture plunged France into political chaos and financial hardship, eventually leading to the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360.
The Battle of Poitiers stands out not only for its military outcome but also for its broader consequences—reshaping the balance of power in medieval Europe and reinforcing England’s growing dominance in the early phases of the war.