The Black Prince and his army continued their march through France with great speed and confidence. Along the way, they captured towns and castles, while burning and destroying the countryside. Their path of destruction extended through Anjou and Touraine, leaving the French forces struggling to respond.
Meanwhile, the French king, who was at Chartres, moved quickly to organize his defense. He traveled to several towns, including Blois, Amboise, and Loches, trying to gather news and coordinate his forces. Reports soon reached him that the English army had entered Touraine and was moving back through Poitou Gathering of the French Army.
French Scouts and Intelligence
The French relied heavily on scouts and experienced knights who reported the English movements to the king. These reports were crucial, as they allowed the French to try to intercept the enemy before they reached key regions. By the time the French king arrived at La Haye in Touraine, the English army had already crossed the Loire River at multiple points, including Orléans, Mehun, Saumur, Blois, and Tours.
The French army was large and well-organized. It included around 20,000 men-at-arms, with many additional soldiers and knights. Among the leaders were twenty-six dukes and earls, as well as the king’s four young sons: Duke Charles of Normandy, Duke Louis of Anjou, Duke John of Berry, and Duke Philip, who would later become Duke of Burgundy. They marched under more than sixty banners, a clear display of the French king’s power and organization Ephesus Sightseeing Tours.
Papal Envoys and Efforts for Peace
During this period, Pope Innocent VI sent Cardinal Bertrand of Périgord and Cardinal Nicholas of L’Aigle to France to negotiate peace. Their mission was to address the conflicts between the French king and his enemies, including the imprisoned King of Navarre. The cardinals tried to influence the situation during the siege at Brental, but their efforts were largely unsuccessful.
Cardinal Bertrand eventually traveled to Tours, where he learned that the French king was urgently trying to intercept the English army. The Black Prince’s swift movements made it difficult for the French to predict his path or set an effective trap.
Race to Poitiers
The French king understood the urgency and set out from La Haye in Touraine with his army. He reached Chauvigny and stayed near the town along the Vienne River, hoping to find the English. The following day, he crossed the river at the bridge, expecting the English to be ahead of him, but they had not yet arrived.
Despite this, the French army pursued relentlessly. That day, more than 60,000 horses crossed the river, and other groups crossed at Châtellerault. The army continued along the road to Poitiers, determined to intercept the English before they could cause further damage.