Delays however hindered the Prince from starting from Bordeaux till July, and when his march brought him to the Loire the plan of campaign had already broken down.

The outbreak in Normandy had tempted the English Council to divert the force under Lancaster from Britanny to that province; and the Duke was now at Cherbourg, hard pressed by the French army under John.

But if its original purpose was foiled, the march of the Black Prince on the Loire served still more effectively the English cause.

His advance pointed straight upon Paris, and again as in the Crecy campaign John was forced to leave all for the protection of the capital.

Hasty marches brought the king to the Loire while Prince Edward still lay at Vierzon on the Cher.