for more than one century, Poitiers was the arena for bloody battles.Medieval Europe was not surprised by frequent wars, but the curious fact that it is a battle that changed the destiny of the city, the rulers, the course of history.The first significant battle of Poitiers in 486 there was a year when the Franks defeated the Roman ruler of Gaul and created their own state.The 732 local residents were able to defend the onslaught of the Arabs and keep the southwestern region.But the grandiose battle took place during the Hundred Years War between the French king John II and the Black Prince, son of an English king.
BACKGROUND bloody battles
Britons had one - full control over the southwestern Aquitaine, but the King of France did not want to give the enemy the land, because under such circumstances the state could not become strong and independent.Edward III decided to put John II in place and planned offensive on three fronts.Governor of Aquitaine was the Black Prince, son of Edward III, it was remembered by contemporaries as a fearless warrior, a clever strategist.He set off completely black decoration: black shield, helmet, armor, feathers of the same color, black horse.
In the year of the Battle of Poitiers, the Black Prince went through Aquitaine fire and sword, taming unruly residents.Those who resisted, he took prisoner and killed.In late summer, John II decided to try their luck and break the British army.He gathered a huge army, the number of enemy soldiers exceeding twice, and went to the southwest.Black Prince began hasty retreat, but suddenly fell into the trap.Battle of Poitiers was inevitable, because the British army surrounded the French turned out from all sides.
Attempt peaceful solution to the conflict
Black Prince immediately realized that his army is doomed, so he tried to resolve the conflict peacefully.From his name to John II spoke papal cardinal, negotiating a truce.Prince offers 100 thousand gold florins, the return of all the fortresses and castles, which he captured in three years.In addition, the son of Edward III offered himself as a hostage, on condition that his troops will be able to freely go home.But John II, in anticipation of a brilliant victory over the enemy, refused all conditions.
The fiercest battle of the Hundred Years War
Battle of Poitiers in 1356 is considered one of the most bloody and unpredictable.Black Prince realized that he would have to fight to the last, so it all thought out carefully, personally went to all the soldiers and cheer them farewell speech.The English settled on a hilly field with vineyards, surrounded by a fence.On the left flank, they were protected by a creek and marsh along the fence placed archers behind the fence heavy riders.
Everything pointed to the fact that the battle of Poitiers would be disastrous for the British, but the French have made a fatal mistake.His troops, they built on the four companies, moving one by one.In addition, the king refused to help the townspeople, fearing that it is the glory of his victory.As a result, the first attack came the marshals, but they broke away from the main army that suddenly were defeated and captured.Then I went to the duke of Normandy, but his men were in a cloud of arrows.
French fled in all directions, some of the troops did not even warn the king to retreat, as John II lost his cavalry under the control of the Duke of Orleans.Battle of Poitiers was a real shame for the French.King fought to the last, his unit suffered the most from the English archers.When the entire army fled, John II surrendered.
