Editing Battle of Poitiers (section)

=== Negotiations ===
On 18{{nbs}}September the Anglo-Gascons marched towards Poitiers arrayed for battle.{{sfn|Rogers|2014|p=366}} They took up a strong, carefully selected position {{convert|5|mi|sigfig=1}} south of Poitiers on a wooded hill in the {{lang|fr|Fôret de Nouaillé}} and began preparing it for a defensive battle: digging [[Area denial weapon|pits]] to impede the French advance (especially that of mounted troops) and trenches, and forming barricades to fight behind.{{sfn|Livingstone|Witzel|2018|pp=191–193, 201}} They hoped that the French would launch an impromptu assault. Instead, Talleyrand rode up to negotiate. The Black Prince was initially disinclined to delay any battle. He was persuaded to discuss terms after Talleyrand pointed out that the two armies were now so close that if the French declined to attack, the Anglo-Gascons would find it almost impossible to withdraw. If they attempted to the French would attack, aiming to [[Defeat in detail|defeat them in detail]], and if they stood their position they would run out of supplies before the French.{{sfn|Rogers|2014|pp=366–368}} The Anglo-Gascons had to stay concentrated in the presence of the French army, and several days' hard marching had reduced the opportunities to forage. Because of this, food was almost exhausted.{{sfn|Livingstone|Witzel|2018|p=192}} Unknown to Talleyrand the Anglo-Gascons were already unable to find sufficient water for their horses.{{sfn|Rogers|2014|p=368}}

After lengthy negotiations the Black Prince agreed extensive concessions in exchange for free passage to Gascony.{{#tag:ref|The Black Prince agreed to return all prisoners and territory taken over the past three years, refrain from fighting the French for seven years and pay 100,000 [[écu]].{{sfn|Rogers|2014|p=368}}|group=note}} However, they were dependent on the agreement being ratified by his father, Edward{{nbs}}III. Unknown to Talleyrand or the French, Edward had given his son written permission to, in such circumstances, "help himself by making a truce or armistice, or in any other way that seems best to him." This has caused modern historians to doubt the Prince's sincerity.{{sfn|Hoskins|2011|p=177}}{{sfn|Jones|2019|p=188}} The French discussed these proposals at length, with John in favour. Several senior advisers felt it would be humiliating to, as they saw it, have at their mercy the Anglo-Gascon army which had devastated so much of France and to tamely allow it to escape. John was persuaded and Talleyrand informed the Black Prince he could expect a battle. Attempts to agree a site for the battle failed, as the French wished the Anglo-Gascons to move out of their strong defensive position and the English wished to remain there. At dawn on 19{{nbs}}September Talleyrand again attempted to arrange a truce, but as his army's supplies were already running out the Black Prince rejected this.{{sfn|Rogers|2014|pp=367–372}}