Today in History: The Battle of Poitiers

On this day (September 19) in 1356, the English defeated the French in the Battle of Poitiers. Fought ten years after the Battle of Crecy, Poitiers was a significant victory with far reaching consequences for the English in the Hundred Years War. The English force was composed of approximately 6000 soldiers including 2000 longbowmen. The French force was composed of roughly 11,000 men—most of whom fought dismounted.

The longbows made the difference in the battle, repulsing a cavalry charge and thinning the ranks of French infantry before it clashed with the English lines. After two hours of fighting the French were repulsed only to collide with the French troops coming up to reinforce them. The English took advantage of the confusion this caused to counterattack the French flank. Fearful of being encircled, most of the French troops fled but French King John and his son refused to do so and were captured. This proved to be a disaster for France. In addition to losing their king, the French nobility suffered grievous losses for the second time in ten years. Chaos reigned in France as rebellions sparked around the countryside.