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BATTLE OF POITIERS

By Christie Russell

Published in the Janney Journal, Vol XV, January/March 2000

While researching at the County Record Office in Cheshire, England in 1999, I ran across items of interest of very early Janneys of Cheshire. I thought your readers might find it of interest particularly since so few records of the 14th century have survived. While we know that the Janney name was present in Cheshire in early records, we still do not have a continuous lineage for any one line. I send this information just to help fill in some of the missing pieces.

Miles White, jr.'s "The Quaker Janneys of Cheshire", published in 1904 mentions that "...in 1385, a John Janney held a messuage, on The High Street, in Nantwich and in 1408, a John Janney was a witness in an inquisition post-mortem at Macclesfield; in 1469 a William Jenny was an office-bearer in the Ancient Parish of Prestbury; and in 1492, a Robert Janny gave testimony in Wilmslow Parish."

An even earlier record is from "The Record Society for the Publication of Original Documents Relating to Lancasher and Cheshire", Vol XLI, 1901, page 6-7 found at the County Record Office at Chester, Cheshire, England copied by Christie Russell 1999.

"Perquisites of Lancashire Court Rolls in the 17th - 18th year of Edward II, next after feast of St. Clement, in 17th year. November 19, 1323 John Janney listed on Lancashire Court Rolls; John Janney, for recuse (recussus; seems to mean refuse or reject) of Adam Kehe 4 d."

From "The Cheshire Sheaf", a publication of Cheshire Local Gleanings, Historical and Antiquarian, Chester, England, Vol. II, 1883 page 40 is an article based on the Calendar of Public Records of a list of the men of the county whose names were found as having served in Gascony and at POITIERS. The list also mentions the rewards granted these men by the Black Prince for their services :

JANNEY, WILLIAM, Junr. Pardoned for his assault on William son of Thomas de Sale and Robert Fayrchild of Somerford, on account of his services at Poictiers."

The Battle of Poitiers is described in The Dictionary of English History Cassell and Co., Limited, London, 1897 pg 824 as follows:

"The Battle of Poitiers, September 19, 1356, was the second of Edward the Black Prince's great victories over the French. In 1355 the truce which had been concluded for eight years came to an end. The Black Prince at the head of a great army, largely composed of mercenaries, landed in Guienne, and marched up the Garonne, plundering the country. The following year he marched toward the Loire; but near Poitiers he found his way barred by 60,000 men under King John of France. The prince's army is said not to have exceeded 8,000;but it was very strongly posted behind lanes, hedges, and vineyards, which were lined with archers. His offers to treat were rejected, and the French horse pressed on up the lane. But they fell back in confusion before the arrows of the English. At the same time they were charged in flank by the English cavalry, while the main body of the English foot advanced on their front. The French fought desperately, but were completely routed. 8,000 of them were killed, and among the crowd of prisoners was King John himself."

In preparation for this battle, three hundred of the 'best and most skillful archers were to be raised and among them was recruited the 'hundred best and most skillful archers that can be found in the county [Cheshire]. The leaders for the archers chosen by the Prince from Macclesfield hundred were Sir John Hyde and Robert Legh [reported to have been the ancestor of General Robert E. Lee] and Hamo de Mascy of Nantwich Hundred. These men were clothed in green and white uniforms and paid 3 weeks wages in advance. They went to Plymouth and were to leave 15 July 1355. Some were sick and unfit. The Prince of Wales [eldest son of Edward III], landed his army at Bordeaux in December 1355.

Of further interest to Janney descendants were additional men from Cheshire who were in this decisive battle. They were William De Newton, and Thomas Baugley of Knottesford. In the 17th century in Cheshire, Barbara Baguley married Henry Janney, brother of Thomas Janney, immigrant ancestor, Quaker Minister of Bucks Co., PA. She is undoubtedly related to the Thomas Baugley of the above record.

The William Janney jr. of this account might have been about 20 years old in 1356 placing his birth about 1336. His father of course would have been William Janney, Sr. who would have been born approximately 25 years before, placing his birth around 1311 or before. This is the earliest record I have personally located that places the surname JANNEY this early in Cheshire. William is a common given name in this line of the family.

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An ironic historic event that took place five hundred years after the Battle of Poitiers in which William Janney and Robert Legh were engaged is the following note concerning two descendants of Janney and Legh [Lee] men. John Janney (1798-1872), a Loudoun County Virginia attorney was president of the Virginia convention which offered Robert E. Lee the position of commander-in-chief of the military and naval forces of the Commonwealth of Virginia on 23 April 1861 in Richmond, Virginia. John Janney's speech on that occasion has been was reprinted in the United States Congressional Record, 1967 and the Freeman, R.E. Lee, 1:466-67 and follows in a separate article.

The diary entry of Mary Custis Lee in "Reminiscences" from Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, 2001 [Mary Custis Lee was the wife of Rober E. Lee] follows:

Derwent, September 1865

"...My husband had been recalled from Texas & we were all happy in his return & enjoying our beloved Arlington never more beautiful than at that season, when he was summoned to Washington where every motive & argument was used to induce him to accept the command of the army destined to invade the South. He was enabled to resist them all, even the sad parting words of his old Commander. Then came the severest struggle of his life to resign a commission he had held for more than 30 years. I will not attempt to describe it. Truth & Honor prevailed. His arrival in Richmond was hailed with Joy & enthusiasm. His reception by his native State as detailed in the speech made by MR. JANNEY on the occasion sublime & his labors for that State arduous & untiring, are well known in History..."

Research notes of Christie Russell, 2003. Derwent was a frame farmhouse not far from Richmond, VA owned by Elizabeth Randolph Preston Cocke who offered the use of the house to the Lees.