Soldiers came to join the French king from many regions, including Brittany and Normandy. As they arrived, they were carefully organized by the king’s officers. The marshals, Lord John of Clermont and Lord Arnold d’Andrehen, were responsible for arranging the troops. They assigned each group a place to stay and made sure that the soldiers were properly counted and prepared for service.
The army did not gather in one place without order. Instead, it was spread across the countryside, where the soldiers could rest and prepare. This careful planning helped the French king build a strong and ready force Private Tour Guide Ephesus.
French Strategy to Stop the English
The French king also made another important plan. He sent large supplies of food and equipment to his fortresses and garrisons in regions such as Anjou, Poitou, Maine, and Touraine. These strongholds were placed along the paths where the English army might travel.
The goal of this plan was clear. The French wanted to block the roads and prevent the English from moving freely. They also wanted to stop them from finding food. By doing this, they hoped the English army would become weak from hunger and lack of supplies.
The king ordered that nothing should be left in the countryside that could help the enemy. No food, no grain, and no forage for horses were to be available. This strategy aimed to force the English into a difficult situation The French King’s Earlier Actions.
The Advance of the Black Prince
Despite these efforts, the English army, led by the Black Prince, continued to move forward. His force included about two thousand men-at-arms and six thousand archers. These were skilled and experienced soldiers.
The English did not seem to suffer from the lack of supplies. They moved through the land with ease and found enough food for themselves and their horses. When they entered the region of Auvergne, they found it rich and full of resources.
Even though the land was plentiful, the English did not stay long in one place. They continued their march, always looking for opportunities to attack and weaken their enemies.
Destruction and Raiding
As the English army moved, they caused great destruction. When they entered a town and found it well supplied, they stayed for two or three days to rest and recover. During this time, they used the food and resources they found.
However, when they left, they destroyed everything that remained. They broke open barrels of wine, burned fields of wheat, barley, and oats, and ruined other supplies. Their goal was to make sure that the French could not use these resources later.
This kind of warfare was harsh but common at the time. By destroying the land, the English made it harder for the French army to follow or support itself.
The Rich Lands of France
As they continued their journey, the English passed through many fertile regions, including Berri, Touraine, Anjou, Poitou, and Maine. These areas were known for their rich farmland and plentiful supplies.
Because of this, the English army was able to continue its campaign without serious difficulty. They always found enough food and resources, even though the French had tried to prevent this.