1356. Edward’s eldest son, the Black Prince, defeated and captured King John near Poitiers (Sept. 19).
1358. A terrible insurrection of the peasants against the nobles broke out in France.
1360. Treaty of Bretigny, between England and France (May 8).
Edward renounced his claim to the crown of France, and the ancient possessions of his family, but he was to hold, in full sovereignty, Calais, Guisnes, Ponthieu, Poitou, Guienne, and their dependencies.
1362. A statute passed, enacting that pleadings in law courts should be conducted in English.
1367. The Black Prince aided Don Pedro of Castile, and gained the battle of Navarette, by which the tyrant was restored to his throne.
1370. The bishop and people of Limoges having admitted a French garrison, the Black Prince invested and captured the town: 3,000 men, women, and children were butchered in cold blood.
1374. The only possessions that the English retained in France were Calais, Bordeaux, Bayonne, and a few places on the Dordogne.
1376. Death of the Black Prince.
In this reign justices of the peace were appointed. Growth of the power of parliament. Windsor Castle rebuilt and enlarged by William of Wykeham, a famous architect, afterwards Bishop of Winchester.