ABSTRACT
It seemed as though the Black Death might offer an opportunity of a settlement between France and England. The Pope urged that, since the plague was evidently caused by Divine wrath at the sins of waning peoples, a cessation of hostilities could alone avert further destruction, and at first it seemed as if the appeal had not fallen on deaf ears. A battle seemed inevitable, though there might be a chance of escape, since King John had left Chauvigny, and had moved eastwards to guard Poictiers. Leaving the high road which led to Poictiers, the Prince struck across the fields, making great haste, and for the first time leaving his spoils unprotected. When Edward returned to England, the long troubles which had reduced France to misery seemed once for all to be settled, but among the variations between the terms agreed on at Bretigny and the formal treaty of Calais, one was of evil portent.
