Battles & Campaigns · 1370
Battle of Pontvallain
Pontvallain, Sarthe, France
What happened
After quarrelling over winter quarters, the English army split into groups. Du Guesclin made a night march and surprised Grandison's force at Pontvallain. The same day Sancerre beat Fitzwalter's men at Vaas Abbey.
Why it matters
It broke the English reputation for being unbeatable in open battle. A historian wrote that it 'destroyed the reputation the English had for invincibility'.
What came next
The French chased the survivors into 1371 and recovered lost lands; England kept losing ground in Aquitaine until 1374.
Did you know?
Heavy horse armour made English longbows much less effective against French cavalry than earlier in the war.
Timeline
- 19 Sep 1356Battle of Poitiers.
- 14 Mar 1369Battle of Montiel.
- 4 Dec 1370Battle of Pontvallain.
- 1374England's losses in Aquitaine continue.