Clifford Rogers on Poitiers

[Patrick Waterson]

I do not know.  Lt Col Alfred Burne gives Baugé a whole chapter to itself in his The Agincourt War (Chapter IX), complete with an analysis of its importance, which was mainly psychological (English force defeated, shock horror, heir to the throne killed!), given that the English force defeated was exiguous, strategically inconsequential and also heavily outnumbered, Clarence having managed to place himself in a no-win situation.  Salisbury mitigated the defeat by a skilful retreat and subsequently raided successfully into Anjou later in the year.

Burne notes that some English historians mistakenly dismiss Baugé as a 'skirmish' when in fact it was a melee, albeit "a formless chaotic scrimmage, hardly worthy of the name of battle".  In size, content and consequence it is one of the lesser peripheral engagements of the Hundred Years War.

[DougM]

Defensive much?

[Erpingham]

Funny that. Baugé also seems to get omitted from many of the English language accounts of the conflict.

Really?  I've not found it so although the emphasis is on the psychological impact on the conflict rather than the battle itself.  It provided a check to English feelings of invincibility while restoring Dauphinist morale.  It also justified the presence of the Scots, who until that point had been unpopular.