On the night of the Battle of Poitiers, the Prince of Wales held a supper at his lodging for the French king and most of the great French lords who had been taken prisoner. The prince treated them with great courtesy and honor Sir James Audley Calls His Friends.
He placed the king and his son at the main table, along with other important nobles, including the Lord James of Bourbon, Lord John of Artois, the Count of Tancarville, the Count d’Estampes, the Count Dammartin, the Count of Graville, and the Lord of Pertney. Other lords, knights, and squires were seated at different tables nearby.
The Prince Shows Humility
Although the prince could have joined the king at the main table, he chose not to. Instead, he served the king personally and stood humbly before him. When the king expressed that he should sit at the table, the prince politely refused. He said, “Sir, I am not worthy to sit with so great a prince as you.”
Even as he served the king, the prince spoke with kindness and respect. He wanted the French prisoners to feel honored, despite their defeat.
Words of Comfort and Respect
The prince spoke to the king with wisdom and courtesy. He said, “Sir, do not be sad or angry that God did not allow this day to go as you wished. Surely, my father, the king of England, will treat you with honor and friendship. You will always have good relations with us Sofia Sightseeing Tour.
“Methinks you should rejoice, even though the battle did not go as you wanted. Today, your men have shown great courage. In bravery and skill, your army has achieved high renown. I say this not to mock you, but so that all can see the true honor of your deeds. All who watched the battle agree that your men fought nobly and deserve respect for their courage.”
The French Take Notice
The French lords and knights listened carefully. They began to murmur among themselves, impressed by the prince’s words. They realized that he was noble not only in battle but also in character. Many said that if God gave him long life, he would continue to show great wisdom, courage, and good fortune.
The prince’s behavior that night left a strong impression on the French. Though they were prisoners, they could see that he was a man of honor, fairness, and humility. He treated enemies with respect, rewarded bravery, and maintained dignity in both victory and service.
Leadership and Nobility
This supper illustrates the ideals of chivalry in the Middle Ages. The Prince of Wales showed that true leadership is not only about skill in war but also about courtesy, respect, and fair treatment of others—even one’s enemies.
By serving the French king himself and speaking with honesty and honor, the prince earned admiration from both his own men and the prisoners. His actions that night reflected wisdom, mercy, and the strength of a true leader, setting an example of nobility for generations to come.
