The Black Prince and King Jean II of France: Generalship in the Hundred Years War

by Peter Hoskins

Overview

What were the essential qualities for a military commander during the Hundred Years War? How important were strategic vision, tactical skill and powers of leadership in medieval warfare? These are the questions that Peter Hoskins explores in this perceptive study of the careers of Edward, the Black Prince who led the English army to victory at the Battle of Poitiers and the opponent he defeated, the French King Jean II. Their contrasting characters and backgrounds are considered as is the military tradition of their time, but the primary focus of the book is a close comparison of their strengths and weaknesses as soldiers as they were revealed on campaign and on the battlefield.

The Black Prince was one of the most admired generals of his generation, a charismatic leader, a shrewd tactician and strategist and a decisive commander. In contrast King Jean was impulsive, driven more by pride, his sense of honor and personal objectives than strategic priorities. When he was put to the ultimate test at Poitiers he lost control of his army, while the Black Prince took the initiative personally to secure victory against the odds.

Peter Hoskins analyses the leadership qualities of the prince and the king according to the principles of war enunciated by Sun Tzu and Vegetius as well as the modern principles of war of the United Kingdom armed forces. He gives readers a fascinating insight into the nature of command and the conduct of war in the Middle Ages.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781526749871
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	12/11/2020
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

Peter Hoskins is a former RAF pilot who writes, lectures and gives battlefield tours. His highly praised previous books In the Steps of the Black Prince: The Road to Poitiers, 1355-1356, Agincourt 1415 and Crecy 1346 have established his reputation as an authority on the Hundred Years War.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Acknowledgements xi

List of Illustrations xiii

List of Plates xv

Part 1 The Protagonists

1 Edward of Woodstock,'The Black Prince' 5

2 King Jean II,'The Good' 25

Part 2 The Principles of War, Command and Leadership in the Hundred Years War

3 The Principles of War 55

4 Command and Leadership in the Hundred Years War 59

Part 3 The Principal Campaigns of King Jean II and the Black Prince

5 The Siege of Aiguillon, 1346 69

6 The Black Prince's Chevauchée in the Languedoc, 1355 79

7 Normandy and the Siege of Breteuil, 1356 105

8 The Poitiers Campaign, 1356 109

9 The Battle of Nájera, 1367 151

Conclusions 167

Appendix: The Location of the Poitiers Battlefield 173

Notes 179

Bibliography 183

Index 185