Battle of Poitiers
The Battle of Poitiers was an English victory over France on 19 September 1356 during the Hundred Years’ War, ending with the capture of King John II.
Edward, the Black Prince: Edward of Woodstock, known as the Black Prince, was an English prince and military commander during the Hundred Years’ War. He commanded the English forces and organized their defensive position at Poitiers.
Treaty of Brétigny: The Treaty of Brétigny was a 1360 agreement that temporarily ended hostilities between England and France. The treaty addressed the ransom and territorial consequences of John II’s capture.
Edward III: Edward III was king of England from 1327 to 1377 and a central claimant and combatant in the Hundred Years’ War. His war with France formed the political setting for the 1356 campaign.
Philip of France, Duke of Orléans: Philip of France, Duke of Orléans, was a son of King Philip VI and a French royal prince captured at Poitiers. His capture alongside John II illustrates the scale of the French leadership losses.
John II of France: John II, called John the Good, was king of France from 1350 until his death in 1364. His capture during the battle turned a battlefield defeat into a political crisis.
Étienne Marcel: Étienne Marcel was a Parisian merchant and political leader who challenged royal authority during the 1350s. The king’s captivity deepened the political turmoil in which Marcel rose to prominence.
Aquitaine: Aquitaine was a historic region of southwestern France whose English-held territories were a major source of conflict between England and France. Disputes over English lands in Aquitaine helped sustain the war that led to Poitiers.
Charles II of Navarre: Charles II of Navarre, known as Charles the Bad, was king of Navarre and a political rival of the French crown. His revolt and shifting alliances formed part of the unstable French politics surrounding the battle.
English longbow: The English longbow was a powerful bow used by English armies, especially in the Hundred Years’ War. English archers contributed to the French advance breaking down under fire.
Jacquerie: The Jacquerie was a 1358 peasant uprising in northern France against noble authority and wartime burdens. It followed the crisis of royal authority and social strain after Poitiers.