Marilyn Livingstone

The battle of Poitiers was one of the two biggest victories on land (along with Crecy a decade earlier) by the English in the first phase of the Medieval conflict now called the Hundred Years War. This book however is a bit of a misnomer in that the battle and the capture of the French King Jean II occupy only the last two of the nine chapters of the book; it is rather a history of the progress of the conflict during the ten years between Crecy and Poitiers. It is well described, and very well researched though and brings across quite clearly the movement of the English army led by the Black Prince rampaging across the French countryside, bringing terror and destruction in their wake. The Prince does, however, emerge as a very good leader of men, able to inspire great loyalty and devotion among his comrades and earning the respect of the rank and file through tours of encampments to talk to them. King Jean emerges as a civilised and cultured man, personally very honourable, but with a certain obstinacy that could stand in the way of wise strategic decision-making. The technology of English/Welsh longbows versus French crossbows is explained as a major factor in the English victories during this phase of the war. The book gives a good feel for what is probably the epitome of Medieval welfare.… (altro)

Witzel and Livingstone have greatly added to my understanding of this critical battle of the middle 14th century. The Road to Crecy is a narrative of the Crecy campaign, culminating in the famous battle in Pothieu. While other writers-Jonathan Sumption and Alfred Burne-also tell this story, Witzel and Livingstone follow in the footsteps of the current crop of Hundred Years War historians, draw on recently uncovered records to share the story in much greater detail. We are left with a picture of Edward III's army that begins upbeat and well-provisioned, though frequently out of hand and drawn to pillage, that becomes less well-fed and less secure as it journeys farther from its Norman landing site.

As French power grows in response to Phillippe VI's summons, the English become more desperate to find their way north to join forces with Anglo-Flemish forces. However, crossing the Seine and Somme rivers are major obstacles to Edward's plans as Phillippe throws out his net in an attempt to trap the invaders and force them to fight a battle on his terms. Edward's escape across the Somme at Blanchetaque and his decision to fight at Crecy are well documented. The authors's conclusions that the French army was ill-controlled and organized poorly is nothing new.

The real benefit of this book is the story of the campaign itself. It creates a context for understanding the battle, and the epilogue furthers the discussion with the understanding that Crecy, though a major victory in the Hundred Years War, only began the discussion that would last until 1453.… (altro)