Letter of Edward, Prince of Wales, announcing his victory at Poitiers, 1356

Letter of Edward, Prince of Wales, sent to the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty, of the City of London, as to the battle fought near Poitiers:

Very dear and much beloved.  As concerning news in the parts where we are, know that since the time when we certified unto our most dread lord and father, the King, that it was our purpose to ride forth against the enemies in the parts in france, we took our road through the country of Peregord and of Lymosyn, and straight on towards Bourges in Veinne, where we expected to have found the King’s son, the Count of Poitiers; and the sovereign cause for our going towards these parts was, that we expected to have had the news of our said lord and father, the King, as to his passage; and seeing that we did not find the said Count there, or any other great force, we turned towards [the river] Loire, and commanded our people to ride forth and reconnoiter if we could find a passage anywhere: the which people met the enemy, and had to enter into conflict, so that some of the said enemies were killed or taken; and the prisoners so taken said that the King of france had sent Grismotoun, who was in that company, to obtain for him certain news of us, and of our force; and the said king, for the same purpose, had sent in another direction the Sieur de Creon, Messire Busigaut, the Mareschal de Clermont, and others.  And the same prisoners declared that the King had made up his mind for certain to fight with us, at whatever time we should be on the road towards Tours, he meeting us in the direction of Orleans.

            And on the morrow, where we were posted, there came news that the said Sieur de Creon and Busigaut were in a castle very near to our quarters; and we determined to go there, and so came and took up quarters around them; and we agreed to assault the said place, the which was gained by us by force, and was quite full of their people, both prisoners and slain, and also some of ours were killed there; but the said Sieurs de Creon and Bursigaud withdrew themselves into a strong tower which was there, and which occupied us five days before it was taken; and there they surrendered.  And there we were certified that all the bridges upon the river Loire were broken down, and that we could nowhere find a passage; whereupon, we took our road straight towards Tours; and there we remained four days before the city, in which were the Count d’Anjou and the Mareschal de Clermount, with a great force of troops.  And upon our departing from thence, we took the road so as to pass certain dangers by water, and with the intention of meeting with our most dear cousin, the Duke of Lancaster, of whom we had had certain news, that he would make haste to draw towards us.  At which time the Cardinal de Peregort came to us at Monbezon, three leagues from Tours, where he spoke to us fully as to matters touching a truce and peace.  Upon which parley we made answer to him, that peace we had no power to make, and that we would not intermeddle, therewith, without the command and the wishes of the King, our most dear lord and father; nor yet as to a truce were we at that time of opinion that it would be the best thing for us to assent thereto, for there we were more fully certified that the King has prepared in every way to fight with us.

            Whereupon, we withdrew ourselves from thence towards Chastel Heraud by passage over the stream of he Vivane; where we remained four days, waiting to know for greater cer–tainty of him. And the King came with his force to Chaveny, five leagues from us, to pass the same river; it the direction of Poitiers.  And thereupon, we determined to hasten towards him, upon the road along which he would have to pass, as to have a fight with him; but his battalions had passed we had come to the place where we intended to meet him, save a part only of their people, about 700 men-at-arms who engaged with ours; and there mere taken the Counts de Sousseire and de Junhy, the Sieur de Chastillon, a great number of others being both taken and slain, both on their side and ours.  And then our people pursued them as far as Chaveny, full three leagues further; for which reason we were obliged that day to take up our quarters as near to that place as we could, that we might collect our men. And on the morrow we took our road straight towards the King, and sent out our scouts, who find him with his army; [and he] set himself in battle array at one league from Poitiers, in the fields; and we went as near to him as we could take up our post, we ourselves on foot and in battle array, and ready to fight with him.

            Where came the said Cardinal, requesting, very earnestly for a little respite, that so there might parley together certain persons of either side, and so attempt to bring about certain understand–ing and good peace; the which he undertook that would bring about to a good end.  Whereupon, we took counsel, and granted him his request; upon which, there were ordered certain persons of the one side and the other, to treat upon this matter; which treating was of no effect.  And then the said Cardinal wished to obtain a truce, by way of putting off the battle at his pleasure; to which truce we would not assent.  And the French asked that certain knights on the one side and the other should take equal shares, so that the battle might not in any manner fail: and in such manner was that day delayed; and the battalions on the one side and the other remained all night, each one in its place, and until the morrow, about half Prime [half past seven A.M.]; and as to some troops that were between the said main armies, neither would give any advantage in commencing the attack upon the other.  And for default of victuals, as well as for other reasons, it was agreed that we should take our way, flanking them in such manner that if they wished for battle or to draw towards us; in a place that was not very much to our disadvantage, we should be the first; and so forthwith it was done.  Whereupon battle was joined, on the Eve of the day before St. Matthew [September 21]; and, God be praised for it, the enemy was discomfited and the King was taken, and his son; and a great number of other great people were both taken and slain; as our very dear Bachelor Messire Neele Loereng, our chamberlain, the bearer Hereof, who has very full knowledge thereon, will know how more fully to inform and show you, as we are not able to write to you; to whom you do give full faith and credence; and may Our Lord have you in His keeping. Given under our Privy Seal, at Burdeaux, the 22nd day of October.

For a better translation of this passage, see The Wars of Edward III: Sources and Interpretations by Clifford Rogers