Poitiers, << pwah TYAY, >> Battle of, was fought in 1356, near the present French town of Poitiers. A famous English victory in the Hundred Years’ War resulted from the Battle of Poitiers. The English forces were led by Edward, “the Black Prince” of England. King John II of France led the French troops. The English were greatly outnumbered, but the Black Prince fought skillfully. At the height of the battle the English horsemen suddenly appeared behind the French lines. The French fled, leaving King John II and his son Philip to be captured.
Two other famous battles took place at or near Poitiers. In 507, a Frankish king named Clovis defeated the Visigoths there. In 732, Charles Martel, another Frankish king, turned back Muslim invaders in fighting that began near Tours and ended near Poitiers. The 732 conflict, called the Battle of Poitiers or Battle of Tours, stopped the spread of Islam to Europe.
