A Chronicle of London

Letter from Edward the Black Prince to the Mayor, Aldermen and Comonalty of London, acquainting them with the achievement of the battle of Poictiers

To our very dear and well-beloved, concerning the news from the parts where we are: Since the time we informed our most dread lord and father the King that we intended to ride out against the enemies in the parts of France, we made our way through the lands of Périgord and Limousin, heading straight toward Bourges in Berry, where we hoped to encounter the King's son, the Count of Poitiers. The main reason for going in that direction was because we had heard news from our said lord and father that he intended to cross into France. But since we did not find the said Count or any other great force there, we turned toward the Loire and sent out scouts to discover whether there might be any crossing. These scouts encountered the enemy, who had assembled in force. Some of these enemies were killed or captured, and the prisoners told us that the King of France had sent a man named Grismoton in their company to find out information about us and our army. They said the King had also sent the Lord of Craon, Sir Boucicaut, the Marshal of Clermont, and others for the same reason. These prisoners said that the King of France was certainly planning to fight us. At the time, we were on the road toward Tours, and he (the King) moved toward Orléans. The next day, while we were encamped, we learned that the Lords of Craon and Boucicaut were in a castle near our position. We resolved to approach and besiege it. The place was taken by force, with many of their men killed or captured—though we also suffered some losses. Craon and Boucicaut fled to a strong tower which held out for five days before surrendering. At this place, we were told all the bridges across the Loire had been broken and no passage was possible. So we made our way directly to Tours and stayed in front of the town for four days. Inside were the Count of Anjou and the Marshal of Clermont with a great force. From there we moved on, hoping to cross the rivers and possibly meet our very dear cousin the Duke of Lancaster, from whom we had certain news that he was attempting to join us. At that time, the Cardinal of Périgord came to us at Montbazon, three leagues from Tours, and spoke at length about truces and peace. We responded that we had no authority to treat for peace without the will of our most dear lord and father the King. Nor had we yet heard of any truce, which, had we known, might have been better for us to agree to. At that point we were informed that the King of France fully intended to fight us. So we continued on to Châtellerault, near the river Vienne, where we stayed four days awaiting further news. Then the King arrived with his army at Chauvigny, five leagues from us, aiming to cross the same river toward Poitiers. We resolved to hurry and intercept him along the road where he would pass in order to fight him. But his main forces had already passed by the time we reached the spot, except for about 700 men-at-arms who engaged ours. Among the French were the Counts of Sancerre and Joinville, the Lord of Châtillon, and many others—some were captured and some killed, as were some of ours. Our forces pursued them as far as Chauvigny, which was three leagues away, so we had to lodge nearby to regroup. The next day, we resumed our route directly toward the King and sent scouts who found him with his full force in the fields one league from Poitiers. We approached him as closely as we could and prepared our positions. We ourselves were on foot and in battle array, ready to fight him. Then the said Cardinal (of Périgord) came again, earnestly asking for a brief delay so that some people from both sides could discuss the matter and try to reach peace. He promised to act in good faith. After deliberating, we granted his request. Certain people from each side were appointed to treat the matter, but the talks achieved nothing. The Cardinal then tried to establish a truce to delay the battle, but we refused to agree to that. The French requested that knights from both sides be appointed to arrange the location for battle so that it would not be avoided. Thus the battle was delayed for a day, and both sides remained in place through the night. By the next morning, around prime (early morning), despite some movements between the armies, no one wanted to make the first move. Due to a lack of provisions and other reasons, it was agreed that we should take our route in front of them in such a way that if they wanted battle or chose to follow us to a place not greatly to our disadvantage, we would engage them. And so it happened. The battle was fought on the eve of St. Matthew's Day (19 September 1356), and, praise be to God, the enemies were defeated. The King of France and his son were taken, along with many other great lords, who were captured or killed. Our very dear bachelor, Sir Nele Loring, our chamberlain, bearer of these letters and one who knows the whole matter in full, will tell you more clearly, as we cannot write everything. Give him full faith and credence. May our Lord guard you. Given under our privy seal at Bordeaux, the 22nd day of October.

L'ra d'ni Edwardi Principis Gall' maior aldr's et com'itati civitatis London' directa de nov' bat'i iux^tx poyters.

Tresch'e et tres bien ameez endroit des novelles es p'ties ou nous sumes voillitz savoir qe puis Teure qe nous certifiasmes a n're tresredoute S^r et piere le Roi qe no' estoions en p'pos de chivaucher env's les enemis es p'ties de Fraunce no' p'smes n're chemyn p' le pais de Peregort et de Lymosyn et tout droit v's Burges en Were ou no' entendismes davoir troues le fitz le Roi le counte de Peytiers et la sov'aigne cause de n're aler v's celles p'ties estoit qe nous entendismes davoir eu noveles de n're dit S^r et piere le Roi come de son passage et puis q' no' ne trovasmes le dit counte ne nul autre g'unt poair illeosqes nous no' treismes dev's leyre et maundasmes noz gentz au chivaucher a conoistre si no' p'uons nulle p't avoir trovez passage lesqueles gentz encontrerent les enemis et avoient faire assemble si qe les uns des ditz enemys estoient mortz et pris les queuz p'soners disoient qe le Roi de France avoient envoiee Grismoton q'estoit encelle compaignie p' lui faire asavoir c'teines novelles de no' et de n're poair et si avoit le dit Roi p' mesmes le cause envoie en autre p'tie le S^r de Creon Mons^r Busigaut le Mareschal de Clermount et aut's et disoient les ditz p'soners qe le dit Roi avoit p's certe in p'pos de combatre ovesq' nous a quele heure nous estoioms s^r le chymyn env's Tours et encostoavit dev's Orliens et lendemein la ou nous estoions loggiez aviens novelles qe les ditz Sire de Creon et Busigaut estoient en un chastel bien p's de n're loggiz et p'ismes p'pos de y aller et venismes loggier entour eux et acordasmes d'assailler le dit lieu lequel estoit gayne p' force ou estoient tout plein de lo'r gentz p's et mortz auxint les uns des n'res y furent mortz mes les ditz Sires de Creon et Busigaut se treerent en une fort Tour qil y avoit la quele se tenoit cynk jours avant qelle feust gaignee et la se rendirent ils et illeosqes estoions c'tifiez qe touz les pontz s^r leyre estoient debruses et qe nulle p't purriens avoir passage s^r qei nous p'ismes n're chemyn tout droit a Tours et la demourasmes devant la ville quatre iours deins quelle estoient le Counte Dangeo et le Mareschal de Clermount od g'nt poair des gentz. Et a n're dep'tir d'illeoqs no' p'ismes le chemyn p' passer ascuns daung' des eawes et en entente davoir encountree ovesqe n're tres ch' cosyn le dues de Lancastre de qi no' aviens certeins novelles qil se voillent afForcier de trere dev's nous a quelle heure le Cardenal de Peregort vynt a nous a Monbezon a troiz lieues de Tours ou il no' p'la tout plein des choses touchauntes trewes et pees s^r quele p 'lance no' lui fesoiens respounse qe la pees ne avient poair a fTaire ne qe nous ent voloiens meller saunz le comaundement et le volunte de n're tresch' S^r et piere le Roi ne de trewe nestoiens al heure avisez qe se eust estee le meillo' p' no^q de y avoir acordee car illeosqes estoiens non plus plenement c'tifiez qe le Roi se tailla p' toutes voies de combatre ove nous si q' nous no' treismes dilleoqes v's chastel Heraud sur le passage del eawe de la Vivane ou no' desmourasmes quatre iors ettendauntz de savoir plus la c'tein de lui le quel Roi vint od son poair a chaveny a cynk lues de nous p' passer mesme lewe v's Poyters et s^r ceo p'ismes p'pos de hastier dev's lui s^r le chemyn qil devereit passer p' estre combatuz ove lui mes ses batailles estoient passeez devant qe no' estoions venuz au lieu ou nous entendismes de lui avoir encountree hors pris p'tie des gentz de lour entour sept centz homes darmes qe se combatirent od les n'tres ou estoient p's le countes de Soussoire et de Junhy le S^r de Chastillion et tout plein dautres pris et mortz p'ties de lour et des n'res et puis les p'suievrent noz gentz tanq' a Chaveny bien a treis lieus loyns p'quoi il nous convienoit logger eel jour a plus pres de celle place qe nous poiens p' recoiller noz gentz et lendemeyn p'ismes n're chemyn tout droit dev's le Roi et mandasmes noz descov'res qe troverent lui od son poair p'st bataille es champs a une lue de Peiters et alasmes a plus p's de lui qe nos poiams p'ndre n're places et nous mesmes a pie et en arraie de bataille et p'st de combatre ove lui ou vynt le dit Cardinal requerraunt molt entierment p' une pettit sufT'nce issint qe home purroit faire parler dasemble c'teins gentz des p'ties en atente d'acord et de bone pees quelle chose il emp'st qil amereit a bon fey sur quoi nous p'ismes avis et lui otreiasmes sa requeste sur quoi furent ordeyner c'teins gentz dune p't e d'autre a tretir sur celle matirs lequel trete ne p'st nul exploit Et adonqes volleit le dit Cardinal avoir purchace une trewe en destourbaunce de la bataille a son gree a quel treve ne voilloit assentir Et demaunderent les Fraunceys c'teins chivalers d'une p't et d'autre p' prendre owelle place issint qe la bataille ne se purroit en nulle man'e failler et en tieu man'e estoit eel jour delaiee et demourerent les batailles d'une p't et d'autre tote noet chescun en lour place et tanqe le demein entour un prime et p' ascuns forces qe estoient p' entre les ditz batailles nul ne voloit a autre taunte davauntage demp'ndre a venir l'un sur l'autre. Et p' defaute des vitailles si bien p' aut's enchessons acorde estoit qe nous deveriens prendre n're chemyn encosteant p' devant eux en tieu man'e q' s'ils voilont la bataille ou trere dev's nous en lieu q' nestoit mye tres graundment a n're desavauntage qe nous le preindreins et ensint estoit fait s^r quoi le bataille se prist la surveile de seint Matheu et loiez ent soit dieux les enemys estoient desconfitz et pris le Roi et son fitz et tot plein des aut's g'ntz pris et mortz si come n're Tresch' ame bach'r Mons^r Neel Loereng n're chaumberlein port^r de cestes qu ent ad assetz pleine conisance vous sav'a plus pleinement dire a monstre come nous ne vous purroins escrire A qi voilletz pleine foi et credence doner Et n're seignr vuis voille garder Donnez souz n're secre seal a Burdeux le XXIJ jour d'Octobr'.

Letter from the Black Prince to the Bishop of Worcester, dated 20th October 1356, Relating To The Battle Of Poitiers

Reverend father in God, and very dear friend, We thank you wholeheartedly for what we have heard, that you are so well and so naturally devoted toward us, praying to God on our behalf and for our success. And we are fully certain that it is because of your devout prayers, and those of others, that God has kindly aided us in all our undertakings. For this we are always bound to thank Him, and we ask that you please continue in your prayers for us, as you have done before, for which we hold ourselves greatly indebted to you. And, reverend father, regarding our state, of which we believe you desire good news, please know that at the time of writing, we were healthy, well, and in good condition, praised be God, who may likewise grant us always to hear and know the same about you. And please let us be informed of this by your letters or by any messengers who may come, as often as you can conveniently send word. Be it known to you that on the eve of the Translation of St. Thomas of Canterbury [6 July], we began our chevauchée [military campaign] with our force into the parts of France, especially because we heard of the arrival of our most honoured lord and father the King nearby. So we went into the regions of Bourges in Berry, Orléans, and Tours, and we had news that the King of France, with a great force near those marches, was coming to do battle with us. And we approached so closely that battle was joined between us in such a manner that the enemies were defeated, thanks be to God, and the said King and his son and many other great lords were captured or killed. The names of these we are sending to you by our very dear bachelor, Sir Roger de Cottesford, bearer of this letter. Reverend father in God, and our very dear friend, may the Holy Spirit keep you always in His care. Given under our seal at Bordeaux, the 20th day of October.

L'ra d'ni Principis Wall' de Capcione R. Francis par le Prince De Gales.

Reve'nt piere en Dieu, et tresch' ami. Nous vous mercions entierement de ce que nous avons entendu q' vous estes si bien et si naturelment porte dev's nous, en p'ant Dieux p'r nous et p'r n're exploit ; et sumes tout certiens q' p'r cause de vous devoutes p'eres et dautres, Dieu nous a en toutes nos besoignes be' vueliz aide ; de quoi nous sumes a touz jo's tenuz de lui grazier, en p'ant que v're part ancy vieullietz faire en continuant dev's nous come devant ces heures avetz fait, de quoi nous nous tenons g'n'ment tenuz a vous. Et, rev'ent piere, endroit de n're estat, dont nous penceons bien q' vous desirez la v're merci doier bones nouvelles, vuellietz entendre q' a la faisance de cestes estions sains et heures et tout en bon point, loiez en soit Dieux q' nous donit y ces mesmes de vous toutes soitz oir et saver, et de ce nous vueilletz certifier p'r vos l'res et p' les entrevenantz a plus souvent q' vous p'res bonement en droit de nouvelles ceandroitz. Vueilletz savoir q' la veille de la translation Saint Thomas de Canterbire, nouz commenceasmes a chivauch' ove n're povar v's les parties de France et souvraignement p' cause q' nous entendismes la venue de n're treshonn'e seign'r et piere le Roy la endroit, et si neismes dev's les parties de Burges en Berye, Orlions, et Tours, et avions nouvelles q' le Roy de France ove g'nt povar bien pres de celles marches venoit p' combattre ove no's, et approcheasmes tant q' la battaille se prist entre nous en tiele maniere q' les ennemis estoient disconfitez, grace en soit Dieux, et le dit Roi et son fils et plusiers autres g'ntz pris et mortz, les noms de queaux nous vous envions p' n're tresch' bachiler Mons' Roger de Cottesford portoir de cestes. Rev'ent piere en Dieux, et n're tresch' ami, le Saint Esprit vous ait toute jours en sa guarde. Donne souz n're seal a Birdeaux, le XX^e jour d' Octob'r.

To the reverend Father in God, the Bishop of Worcester, these are the names of those who were taken at the Battle of Poitiers by the Prince of Wales, son of the noble King of England, Edward III: Royalty and High Clergy John of Valois, King of France Monsieur Philip, his son The Archbishop of Reims.

Counts: Counts Monsieur James of Bourbon, Count of Ponthieu Monsieur John of Artois, Count of Eu Monsieur Charles of Artois, Count of Longueville, Count of Tancarville, Count of Ventadour, Count of Sancerre, Count of Salebruges, Count of Vendôme, Count of Vaudémont, Count of Dammartin, Count John of Nassau, Count of Salerplok, the Castellan of Compiègne.

The Lord of Sully

Viscounts: the Viscount of Narbonne, the Viscount of Rochechouart, the Viscount of Vaudemont, the Viscount of Beaumont.

Bannerets: Sir Arnold Dawdenham, Sir Ralph de Coucy, the Lord of Daubigny, the Lord of Denain, the Lord of Saint-Dizier, the Lord de la Tour, the Lord of Damboise, the Lord of Derval, the Lord of Manhales, the Lord of Planche, the Lord of Montagu, the Lord of Beaufremont, the Lord of Plomory.

Monsieur Guichard d'Angle, Seneschal of Saintonge, Monsieur Maurice Mauvinet, Seneschal of Tours in Touraine, Monsieur Renaud de Guilhon, Seneschal of Poitou, Monsieur Pierre de Créon, Monsieur Guichard d'Arx, Monsieur Walter de Castillon, Monsieur Guichard de Béarn,the Lord of Bassigny

Those who fought in the skirmish before the battle at Remorantin:

Bannerets: The Lord of Acon Sir Buzignault, Sir Guy Turpin Bachelors

Bachelors: Sir Guillaume de Lorac, Sir Folles de Forsela, Sir Jakelin de Ponsay

In addition to the named prisoners above, there were taken in total among the men-at-arms: 1,933.

Rejoice in the Lord always.

The names of those who were killed in the said battle are as follows:

Dukes: the Duke of Bourbon, the Duke of Athens, the Bishop of Châlons

Lords and Knights: Sir Robert de Duras, the Marshal of Clermont, the Viscount of Brienne, Sir Geoffrey de Charny, Sir Renaud de Pons, the Lord of Landas, the Lord of Châtel-Villain, the Lord of Argenton, the Lord of Montguyon, the Lord of Malavaler, Sir John de Sancerre, Sir Louis de Broce, Sir Guillaume de Viel, Sir John de Joigny, Sir Andrew de Chaveny, Sir Eustace de Kirpemont.

And in addition to the above-named, there were killed among the men-at-arms: 2,426.

Again I say: rejoice.

Rev'ent Piere en Dieux Evesqe de Worcester, ces sont les noms de ceaux q' estoient pris a la battaile de Poyters p' le Prince de Gales fitz a noble Roi de Engleterre Edward Tierts. John de Valoys, Roy de France. Mons. Philip son fitz. Arcevesque de Leyens.

Counts: Mons. Jakes de Bourbonn, Counte de Pountois. Mons. John d'Artoys, Counte d'Eu. Mons. Charles de Artoys, Counte de Souggevil. Le Counte de Tankervill. Le Counte de Ventadour. Le Counte de Saussier. Le Counte de Salesberg. Le Counte de Vendome. Le Counte de Wademont. Le Counte de Dammartyn. Le Counte de John de Nasso. Le Counte de Salerplok. Le Chatelaine de Composta.

Le S. de Sully.

Viscountes: Le Visconte de Narbone. Le Visconte de Vychichoart. Le Visconte de Walemont. Le Visconte de Beaumont.

Bannerets: Mess. Arnold Doudinham. Mess. Rauf de Coussy. Le S. de Danbeney. Le S. de Denyn. Le S. de Saint Dyser. Le S. de la Tour. Le S. Damboisa. Le S. de Derval. Le S. de Manhales. Le S. de Planuche. Le S. de Montagu. Le S. de Beaufremont. Le S. de Plamory. Mons. Giscard D'Angle Seneschal de Sentonge. Mons. Moris Mauvinct Sen. de Tours en Toreyne. Mons. Renaud de Guilhon Sen. de Peyton. Mons. Pierres de Creon. Mons. Giscard de Arx. Mons. Gauter de Castellion. Mons. Giscard de Beanyon. Le S. de Basentin.

Ceaux furent ceaux dessoutz p's devant la battaile a Remoartin.

Bannerets: Le S. de Acon. Mons. Busignaut. Mons. Guy Turpin.

Bachelers: Mons. Guilliaume de Lorak. Mons. Folles de Forsela. Mons. Jakelyn de Ponsey.

Et sont pris outre les noms dessus escptz des gentz darmes. M. IX^e XXXIII

Gaudete in Domino semper.

Les nomes de ceaux q'furent mortz a la dite battaile sont ceux.

Ducs: Le Due de Bourbon. Le Due Datermes. Le Evesque de Chalons.

Mons. Rob de Duras. Le Marischal de Clermont. Le Visconte de Vrons. Mons. Geffrei de Charsey. Mons. Renaud de Pointz. Le S. de Landas. Le S. de Chastel Vileyn. Le S. de Argenton. Le S. de Mountgay. Le S.de Malevrer. Mons. John de Sausar. Mons. Lewis de Broyse. Mons. Guilliem de Viele. Mons. John de Jole. Mons. Andrew de Chaveny. Mons. Eustas de Kirpemont.

Et outre le noms surnometz sont mortz des gentz d'armes M.M. ccccxxvi. Iterum dico gaudete.