On that Saturday, the Black Prince and his army rode from morning until night, covering a long distance. By the end of the day, they had come within two leagues (about six miles) of the city of Poitiers. The English were eager to know the position and strength of the French forces before engaging them in battle.
Scouts Sent Forward
To gather intelligence, the Black Prince sent forward a group of experienced knights. Among them were the Captal de Buch, Sir Aymon of Panniers, Lord Bartholomew of Burghersh, and Lord Eustace d’Auberticourt. They were accompanied by 200 well-horsed men-at-arms. Their mission was to scout the French positions and report back to the prince with detailed information Tour Guide Ephesus.
The scouts rode carefully but boldly, moving far enough to see the main French army. From a distance, they observed the massive force commanded by the French king. The fields near Poitiers were covered with men-at-arms, showing the full strength of the French host.
The Skirmish with the French
Seeing such a large French army, the English scouts could not resist attacking the rear of the enemy. They engaged the French knights, striking down many and capturing several prisoners. This small but daring action caused confusion and alarm within the French lines.
News of the skirmish quickly reached the French king as he entered Poitiers. He immediately ordered his army to respond in kind. The French army pursued and tried to regain control, but by the end of Saturday, it was very late, and the French forces were still settling into their positions for the night Uncertainty and Shortage Among the English.
Reporting Back to the Prince
After their engagement, the English scouts returned to the Black Prince. They described what they had seen: the great number of French soldiers, the organization of their lines, and the general state of the enemy. This information was crucial for planning the next day’s battle.
The Black Prince listened carefully and then spoke to his men: “Well, in the name of God, let us now study how we shall fight them to our advantage.” His calm and decisive leadership reassured the army, despite the size of the French forces.
The English Encampment
That night, the English army camped in a strong and defensible location. Their position was surrounded by hedges, vines, and bushes, which offered natural protection against surprise attacks. The soldiers were well-organized, with careful watches and patrols to guard against any French assault during the night.