To what extent was the Black Prince responsible for the successes of the Languedoc (1355) and Poitiers (1356) campaigns?
Introduction
The shocking Languedoc and highly successful Poitiers campaigns seem to stand out militarily as Edward of Woodstock, the ‘Black Prince’s’ most prominent achievements. The Languedoc campaign managed to cripple the economy of the South West part of France for years later and delivered a “…shattering blow to French self-confidence.” Coming almost ten years after the murderously successful battle of Crecy, where it seemed that half of France’s nobility (and many from her Allies) was hacked to death by the English archers, or Hellequinψ, as they were known. It would seem logical for the French therefore to have adapted by then to the English style of warfare. Yet they did not and the Battle of Poitiers resulted not only in English superiority for at least the next ten years of the war, but also the ultimate prize-the capture of John ’le bon’, king of France.
Why he was there and the significance of this
The Black Prince is a name used for Edward of Woodstock, son of Edward III and Prince of Wales. It is thought to be a 15th century term invented by the French in reference to his wearing of a black suit of armour at the battle of Crecy. Whatever the origin, the name has stuck and Woodstock* as heir to the throne of England and potentially France was the ideal candidate to lead the expedition. The simple fact of his presence was, as viewed by Allmand, something which “…stressed the importance to the family of their father’s claim to the French throne.” This revisionist idea of him as a figurehead giving the chevauchée legitimacy can be seen to have weight by the experience of his companions. ”Nine… were knights of the garter, or were admitted to the order later” says Sumption and Woodstock’s most senior ‘lieutenant’, Sir John Chandos has been described as a military ‘genius’ε by more than one historian. The traditional view of Woodstock being “…one of the best knights of the world” is now being tempered by realism. Although he may be popularly be viewed as one of “three martial heroes” of the “…royal house of England” as so neatly put by Mr Sedgwick, one must bear in mind the circumstances in which he was sent out. He was originally heading one of three prongs of an attack on France. Woodstock was never meant to be isolated as occurred, and due to the bad communications of the time, unable to liase with England during the actual campaigns. It seems that his father, while never doubting Woodstock’s courage in battle would agree that his son’s “’sense of chivalry was not tempered by a pragmatic realism.’” The little personal correspondence surviving from this period seems to be fairly narrative in style and as such tells us little of people’s motivation behind their actions. Yet it seems to be the consensus that Woodstock was placed in Languedoc as a rallying point-not only for the English but also the Gascon allies of his father (one of the first events was his installation as Duke of Aquitaine). He was also a soldier with a job to do, which was to ravage France to punish them for their ‘disloyalty’ to his father. His companions ensured no slip-ups made by this young, idealistic prince “intensely ambitious to win his own fame” were serious.