The Battle of Poitiers 1356
The Black Prince’s great victory over the French King John.
Date: 19th September 1356.
Place: Western France.
Combatants: An army of English and Gascons against the French and their allies.
Generals: The Black Prince against King John I of France.
Size of the armies: The Black Prince’s army numbered some 7,000 knights, men-at-arms and archers.
Numbers in the French army are uncertain but were probably around 35,000, although Froissart gives the size of the French army as 60,000. The French army comprised a contingent of Scots commanded by Sir William Douglas.
Winner: The English and Gascons decisively won the battle.