The Hundred Years' War between England and France was a series of conflicts that lasted from 1337 to 1453. The war was fought over a number of issues, including territorial disputes, the question of the rightful succession to the French throne, and economic and trade issues.
The Battle of Poitiers was part of the second phase of the war, which began in 1355. In that year, King Edward III of England invaded France with an army of around 10,000 men, hoping to exploit the political and social instability in the country. Edward's forces quickly captured the city of Bordeaux and began raiding the surrounding countryside.
King John II of France responded by raising a large army and marching to intercept the English. The two armies met near Poitiers, where the English had taken up a defensive position on a hillside.
The battle itself was a classic example of the tactics used by the English during the Hundred Years' War. The English relied heavily on their longbowmen, who were able to fire arrows at a much faster rate than the French crossbowmen. The longbows were also more accurate and had a longer range than the crossbows, giving the English a significant advantage.
The French cavalry charged repeatedly, hoping to break through the English lines and capture the archers. However, the English had prepared a series of defensive positions that allowed them to withstand the charges. The French cavalry suffered heavy casualties, and many of their horses were killed or wounded by the English arrows.
The battle lasted for several hours, but by late afternoon, the French were in disarray. King John had been captured by the English, and his army was in full retreat. The English pursued the French for several days, capturing many more prisoners and booty.
The battle was a major victory for the English and helped to establish Edward III as one of the most powerful kings in Europe. It also marked the beginning of a new phase in the Hundred Years' War, as the English began to expand their territorial holdings in France.
For the French, the defeat was a devastating blow. The capture of King John was a major humiliation, and the loss of so many men and horses was a severe blow to their military power. The defeat also led to political instability and social unrest in France, as many people began to question the ability of their rulers to protect them from foreign invaders.
In the years that followed the Battle of Poitiers, the Hundred Years' War continued to rage on, with both sides winning and losing battles. However, the English were ultimately unable to win a decisive victory, and the war ended in 1453 with the French retaking all of their lost territory.
The main players in the battle were the English army, led by King Edward III, and the French army, led by King John II. The French army was much larger than the English, with an estimated 20,000 to 60,000 men, while the English had around 9,000 men.
The battle began with a cavalry charge by the French, but they were unable to break through the English lines, which were composed mainly of longbowmen. The English archers showered the French cavalry with arrows, causing significant casualties.
After the initial charge failed, the French infantry advanced, but they were also repulsed by the English archers. King John then ordered a second cavalry charge, which also failed to break through the English lines.
Finally, the English launched a counterattack, and King John was captured by the English. The French suffered heavy losses, with an estimated 2,000 to 11,000 men killed, while the English suffered around 300 casualties.
The victory at Poitiers was a major success for the English and helped to solidify their hold on the territory of Aquitaine. It also led to the signing of the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360, which ended the first phase of the Hundred Years' War and granted significant territorial concessions to the English.
For the French, the defeat was a significant blow to their prestige and power, and it led to a period of political instability and social unrest. The capture of King John was also a major embarrassment, and his ransom was a significant drain on the French treasury.
The longbow was a type of self bow, which means that it was made from a single piece of wood, typically yew. The bow was usually around six feet long, and the archer would use a special technique to draw the bowstring back to its full extent, which could require a force of over 100 pounds.
The longbow had a relatively simple design, but it was a highly effective weapon that required years of training and practice to master. The English began training their archers from a young age, and by the time they reached adulthood, they were skilled marksmen who could shoot arrows with great accuracy and speed.
The longbow was most effective when used in large numbers. At the Battle of Agincourt, for example, the English had around 6,000 archers, who fired an estimated 80,000 arrows during the course of the battle. The sheer volume of arrows created a "cloud of death" that decimated the French army.
The longbow was also a highly versatile weapon that could be used in a variety of different situations. The English used their archers in a number of different ways, including in defensive positions, as part of hit-and-run tactics, and as part of larger formations.
The longbow was not without its drawbacks, however. It required a significant amount of strength to use, which meant that not every soldier could be trained as an archer. It was also relatively slow to reload compared to other weapons, which meant that archers had to be protected by other troops while they were reloading.
Despite these limitations, the longbow was a highly effective weapon that played a crucial role in many battles during the Hundred Years' War. The longbow was eventually superseded by firearms in the 16th century, but it remains an important part of English military history, and it continues to be celebrated as one of the most formidable weapons of its time.
The English longbow was a powerful weapon that played a crucial role in many battles during the Hundred Years' War. Here are some of the reasons why the longbow was so important:
Range: The longbow had a longer range than other types of bows used at the time. It could shoot arrows up to 250 yards, which gave the English a significant advantage over their enemies.
Accuracy: The longbow was a very accurate weapon, especially in the hands of a skilled archer. The English trained their archers rigorously, and the best of them could shoot arrows with incredible precision.
Rate of fire: The longbow was capable of firing arrows at a much faster rate than other types of bows. This allowed the English archers to shoot a constant stream of arrows at their enemies, creating a devastating hail of arrows that could inflict significant casualties.
Penetration: The arrows fired by the longbow had tremendous penetrating power. They could pierce armor, shields, and even horses, making them a highly effective weapon against heavily armored knights and cavalry.
Mobility: The longbow was a relatively light and portable weapon, which allowed the English archers to move quickly and easily on the battlefield. This made them highly effective in hit-and-run tactics, as well as in defensive positions.
Psychological impact: The longbow had a significant psychological impact on the battlefield. The sound of thousands of arrows whistling through the air was intimidating, and the sight of so many men falling under a hail of arrows could demoralize even the bravest of soldiers.
Overall, the English longbow was a highly effective weapon that allowed the English to win many battles during the Hundred Years' War. The longbow played a key role in battles such as the Battle of Crecy, the Battle of Poitiers, and the Battle of Agincourt, and it helped to establish the English as one of the most formidable military powers in Europe at the time.
If you have a suggestion regarding additional topics you would like to see included - please let us know
Reference: Article by Greg Scott (Staff Historian), 2023
Tour Reviews
History Attractions
Submit Tour Suggestions
2024 Departures
Spotlight Tours
Events and anniversaries
All content and images are protected by copyright to Access History