After the battle, John of Helenes carefully placed the wounded Lord Berkeley back on his horse. He made sure the knight was handled gently and without pain. Then he brought him slowly and safely to the town of Châtellerault. There, John stayed for more than fifteen days, not leaving the knight’s side.
During this time, he made sure that Lord Berkeley received proper care for his wounds. He found people who could treat him and helped him recover as much as possible. John showed kindness and patience, even though Berkeley had been his enemy in battle Sofia Day Tour.
When Lord Berkeley was a little stronger, John arranged for him to travel more comfortably. He placed him in a litter, a kind of bed carried by men, so that he would not suffer more pain from riding. In this careful way, he brought him to his own home in Picardy.
A Long Healing and a Great Reward
At John’s house, Lord Berkeley stayed for more than a year. During this long time, he slowly healed from his serious injuries. John continued to take care of him and made sure he had everything he needed.
When Lord Berkeley was finally completely well, the time came for him to leave. As was the custom in those days, he paid a ransom for his freedom. The amount was six thousand nobles, which was a very large sum of money The Escape of John of Helenes.
Because of this reward and his brave actions in battle, John of Helenes was later made a knight. His courage, skill, and honorable behavior brought him both wealth and respect.
The Capture of the King of France
Often, the events of love and war turn out to be more surprising than anyone can imagine. This was true in the great Battle of Poitiers, which took place near the fields of Beauvoir and Maupertuis. It was a fierce and dangerous battle, full of brave actions that were not all recorded.
Both sides suffered greatly during the fighting. The soldiers were tired, wounded, and under great pressure. King John of France himself showed great bravery that day. He fought with an axe in his hands and defended himself strongly in the thick of the battle.
Great Lords Taken Prisoner
Near the king, many important French nobles were captured. Among them were the Count of Tancarville, Sir James of Bourbon, the Count of Ponthieu, and the Lord John of Artois, who was also the Count of Eu. Not far from there, under the banner of the Captal of Buch, Sir Charles of Artois and many other knights and squires were also taken prisoner.
The fighting did not stop quickly. The chase continued all the way to the gates of the city of Poitiers. Many men and horses were killed or knocked down as they tried to escape.
Chaos at the Gates of Poitiers
When the defeated soldiers reached the city, they found the gates closed. The people of Poitiers were afraid and did not allow anyone to enter. Because of this, terrible violence took place outside the gates.
Men were wounded, beaten, and killed in great numbers. The French soldiers, seeing no escape, surrendered whenever they saw an English soldier nearby. Some English archers captured four, five, or even six prisoners each.
Many important men died that day, including the Lord of Pons, a powerful baron of Poitou. Others, like the Count of Rochfort and the Lord of Dampmartin, were taken prisoner.
Honor and Suffering in War
This battle showed both the bravery and the suffering of war. Great nobles were captured, many lives were lost, and even a king fought desperately for survival. Yet, as seen in the story of John of Helenes and Lord Berkeley, honor and mercy could still exist even in the harshest moments of war.
