John became king of France after the death of his father Philippe. ¹

Edward the Black Prince set out from Bordeaux at the start of a chevauchée into lands held by King John of France. Chevauchée was a medieval term for a process destroying the towns, villages and land of an enemy lord in an attempt to reduce the wealth that the lord could extract and put to use in going to war. It also caused panic in the local population and an exodus of refugees. ¹

On Saturday 17th of September while the Black Prince was moving his army to English owned city of Bordeaux the English and French armies finally came across each other near Poitiers. Edward moved his army into a defensive position protected by hedges on three sides and a narrow lane on the fourth.

On the Sunday a Cardinal attempted to get the English prince and French king to agree a truce, but the two leaders used the Sunday to rest their troops and prepare for the battle ahead.

On Monday the 19th of September the battle of Poitiers took place. Even though the English army was outnumbered the Black Prince used superior tactics in the battle and defeated the French without suffering many losses. John, the French King, was captured along with many other French nobles and taken to Bordeaux.

King John of France was held prisoner at St. Alban's monastery after being captured at Poitiers. ¹

On behalf of the King of England, Edward, the Black Prince arranged a two year truce with John, the King of France at Bordeaux.

The Black Prince with the French king and many other prisoners began the journey from France to England. Once back in England these nobles were ransomed for large amounts of money.

This treaty attempted to agree peace between England and France and the release of the French King, John, from captivity. The terms the King Edward III wanted, were a large ransom and the surrender of several French states. The French did not raise the money required so the treaty was not concluded.

This treaty signed by King Edward and King John of France who was still a captive was agreed but later rejected by those back in France. In the treaty Edward agreed to drop his claim to the French thone in return for large amounts of French land. The French rejected the treaty because of the amount of land that would have been lost. King Edward's anger led to his invasion of France later in the year.

The Treaty of Bretigny brought a period of peace for nine years during the Hundred Years War. The treaty was arranged between the Black Prince and the dauphin the future King Charles V of France before being approved by King Edward III of England and King John of France. As part of the treaty Edward was given control of the areas of Gascony, Calais and Ponthieu as long as he agreed to give up his claim for the French throne. King John of France, currently being held hostage in England, was to be released on condition of a payment of 3 million gold crowns to be paid in instalments.

At Calais King Edward III of England and King John of France, who had be released from captivity, signed the Treaty of Bretigny.

King John of France was still in captivity after his capture at the Battle of Poitiers and livng in a certain amount of luxury at the Savoy in London. But a mysterious illness became serious and his died. His body was transported to France for burial. His son Charles became king of France and was crowned at Reims Cathedral. ¹