Battle of Taillebourg

Battle of Taillebourg
Part of the Saintonge War
Battle between the French (Louis IX) and the English (Henry III). (British Library, Royal 16 G VI f. 399)
Date 21-22 July 1242 Location Taillebourg, Charente-Maritime (at the bridge over the Charente River) and later near Saintes, Charente-Maritime 45°50′N 0°39′W / 45.83°N 0.65°W / 45.83; -0.65 Result French victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of France	Kingdom of England and French allies
Commanders and leaders
Louis IX of France Alphonse of Poitiers	Henry III of England Richard of Cornwall Hugh X of Lusignan
Strength
4,000 knights 20,000 infantry	1,600 knights 700 crossbowmen 20,000 infantry
Casualties and losses
Light	Heavy losses

The Battle of Taillebourg, a major medieval battle fought in July 1242, was the decisive engagement of the Saintonge War. It pitted a French Capetian army under the command of King Louis IX, also known as Saint Louis, and his younger brother Alphonse of Poitiers, against forces led by King Henry III of England, his brother Richard of Cornwall and their stepfather Hugh X of Lusignan.

The battle was fought on the bridge built over the river Charente, a point of strategic importance on the route between northern and southern France. Later it was fought near the city of Saintes. According to Charles Oman; the English and their allies were routed and forced to make peace^{[citation needed]} but the King of France contented himself of leaving things as they had been before the war.^[1] The battle put down the Poitevin revolt and marked the end of Henry III's hopes of restoring the Angevin Empire, which had collapsed during his father's reign.