BATTLES OF CRÉCY, 1346 A.D., AND POITIERS, 1356 A.D.
In 1346 A.D. Edward led his troops across the Channel and
at Crécy gained a complete victory over the knighthood of France. Ten
years later the English at Poitiers almost annihilated another French force
much superior in numbers. These two battles were mainly won by foot soldiers
armed with the long bow, in the use of which the English excelled. Ordinary
iron mail could not resist the heavy, yard-long arrows, which fell with
murderous effect upon the bodies of men and horses alike. Henceforth infantry,
when properly armed and led, were to prove themselves on many a bloody field
more than a match for feudal cavalry. The long bow, followed later by the
musket, struck a deadly blow at feudalism.
THE "BLACK PRINCE"
Edward's son, the Prince of Wales, when only sixteen years
of age, won his spurs by distinguished conduct at Crécy. It was the
"Black Prince," [24] also, who gained the day at Poitiers, where he
took prisoner the French king, John. Toward his royal captive he behaved in
chivalrous fashion. At supper, on the evening of the battle, he stood behind
John's chair and waited on him, praising the king's brave deeds. But this
"flower of knighthood," who regarded warfare as only a tournament on
a larger scale, could be ruthless in his treatment of the common people. On one
occasion he caused three thousand inhabitants of a captured town—men, women and
children—to be butchered before his eyes. The incident shows how far apart in
the Middle Ages were chivalry and humanity.
[24] Probably so called from the black armor which he
wore. It may still be seen above his tomb in Canterbury Cathedral.
