History glossary
Poitiers
the 1356 English victory where Edward the Black Prince captured King John II of France.
- Category
- Battle
- Region
- France
- Date range
- 1356
What it means
Poitiers was the battle in 1356 where Edward the Black Prince defeated a larger French army and captured King John II of France. The victory gave England enormous diplomatic leverage and helped lead to the Treaty of Bretigny.
Related terms
Stories using this term
The Hundred Years War
From Edward III's claim to Joan of Arc, Agincourt and Castillon, the Hundred Years War reshaped England, France and medieval warfare.
The Plantagenets
From Henry II’s cross-Channel inheritance to Bosworth, the Plantagenets shaped England through royal justice, conquest, rebellion and a struggle over who could control the crown.
