111 Poitiers

Battle of Poitiers 13561356 saw one of the greatest exchange of arms of the war. Early in the year, the Duke of Lancaster attacked into Normandy and with lightening marches ran rings round the French King. Then in the south the Black Prince attacked into the Poitou, seeking to link up with Lancaster on a march towards Paris. The campaign would end of the field of Poitiers as once again an English army faced a much bigger French opponent. 

111 Poitiers


The Campaign of Poitiers

Below is a slide show of the Black Prince's camapign of 1356, starting in Bordeaux and ending on a field outside Poitiers. (further below is a slide show of the battle itself!). You can let this animation run at it's own speed, or click pause and then move the show on as you wish with the 'next' and 'prev' buttons. Enormous thanks to Andy Flaster and Jonathan Crowther for making this look good and all the technology stuff.

The Poitiers Campaign

The Battle of Poitiers

And here's the slideshow of the battle itself…You can again let this animation run at it's own speed, or click pause and then move the show on as you wish with the 'next' and 'prev' buttons. Enormous thanks to Andy Flaster and Jonathan Crowther for all the technology stuff.

The Battle of Poitiers 

14 thoughts on “111 Poitiers

  1. Fantastic! Was listening to this while out spraying the paddocks and just had the chance to look up the maps. Loving the podcast series, can’t wait till the war of the roses.

  2. David, I’ve only recently discovered your podcasts – delighted to see so many! and I have been devouring them wholeheartedly. Not only is it balanced, well researched, informative and detailed, but your style is witty and entertaining, and at the same time poignant and honest.
    It gives me great joy to listen as I work, transporting me to Europe as soon as I press play (Melbourne is so very far away unfortunately; The closest we have to a castle here is the colonial era, and quite daunting, Pentridge prison!). And the maps! Oh how I love maps.

    But most importantly, your hard work helps feeds my great passion for history, and keeps me sane, and for that I am deeply thankful.
    Having reached one of my favorite periods, the hundred years war (I’m actually currently designing a boardgame of the English Chevaunchee!), I have to say I wouldnt mind if you took 2 years to tell it ha ha =) but so much to look forward to yet.

    Also, I just found this article which may be of interest to some, as it reasesses some of Edward III’s motivations during the Crecy campaign, which I found quite illuminating (“Edward III and the Dialectics of Strategy” by Clifford J. Rogers, available to read free here, https://www.jstor.org/stable/3679216?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents)

    My sincere thanks again, and look for me among your new Patreon subscribers.

    1. Hi Trent and my cheeks are glowing! So glad you are enjoying them, and it is thoroughly delightful to hear someone who shares the love of history. And mentioning the map…well, I am your fan for life!
      Plus you made me look up Pentridge. Which as you say looks a little grim!

      I loved the article by the way – It is difficult to believe that Edward genuinely believed he was going to become king of France; and I agree he’s been underestimated before, as brawn rayther than brain, so great to see something that talks up his strategic sense.

      And thank you! You have become a Patron, and I do, of course, love my patrons!
      I can reveal to you, that I am a die hard boardgame fan. A frustrated one. So count me into the Chevaucee game…!

  3. Was listening to this in the car on the way to work this morning (the 41 minute podcast length was perfect for my 45 minute commute). Had to check out these slide shows, and was not disappointed. Fantastic!

  4. Agreed, the slide shows are wonderful and very helpful to understanding the development of the battle. So much better with the control/pause buttons at the bottom, thanks for making them, and for that kind addition.

    Amazing what a few men with good leadership can do at the pivotal point in a battle.

  5. Knowing nothing about this battle it was a riveting account of the battle but I must have missed some key piece of information. So the Dauphin leaves the battlefield with all his remaining troops in front of an enemy that’s NOT giving chase? Seeing this, the duke of Orléans leaves with all his troops in face of an enemy that’s not giving chase, is smaller, in a defensive position and getting desperate for a fight? Just leave the battlefield entirely? 2 of the 3 french divisions? And this seemingly important fact doesn’t even get a second mention. Love the podcast and the style it’s being delivered in but this was really confusing.

  6. These maps are brilliant. Real nice to slide through as the battle is being described in your ears. Top Marks

    1. They were a hoot to do – Jonathan and Andy, particularly Jonathan found a handy widget. Still don’t know where I found all the time!

      1. Plaudits to Jonathan and Andy. Oh yes, must’ve taken ages, but then if the French had won I bet you’d have naff all time for such an undertaking. We’d have the transcript, painting and a kindly reminder to skip to the next podcast.

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