Who Was England's First 'Prisoner Of War'?

Joan of Arc is probably the most famous Medieval 'prisoner of war'.

What is this historical discovery?

A historian from the University of Southampton has unearthed what he believes to be the earliest use of the term 'prisoner of war'.

Dr Remy Ambuhl made the discovery in court documents dated 1357, during the Hundred Years' War.

Translated from the Anglo-Norman, 'prisonnier de guerre', the phrase was being used in 14th-century courts.

Who was the first 'prisoner of war'?

The term appears to have first been applied to Count de Ventadour, who was captured at the Battle of Poitiers in France.

Dr Ambuhl said:

"It's possible this early use of the phrase was prompted by the very large number of soldiers captured at Poitiers".

But the academic found that the term wasn't about protecting the welfare of the captured soldiers.

Why was the term used? 

'Prisonnier de guerre' was used to protect the property rights of the prisoner's captor.

This makes the phrase's original meaning very different from modern ideas of governing the treatment of captured soldiers.

This medieval period saw the flourishing of a lucrative international market for the ransoming of valuable prisoners.

By asserting private and financial rights, the captor was able to establish legal protections for themselves as the prisoner's 'owner'.

In some cases, a medieval 'prisoner of war' was called a 'slave'.

Who held the first 'prisoner of war'?

Count de Ventadour had been 'owned' by Lord Burghersh, an adviser to Prince Edward, and had been bought by King Edward III for £5,000.

Dr Ambhul stated that this huge sum of money was probably never paid in full.

Whilst it might not sound like the largest amount today, at the time the total sum raised by taxes would have been roughly £40,000.

Did the first 'prisoner of war' return home?

Eventually, Count de Ventadour became part of the negotiations for the return of French King John II.

Like Count de Ventadour, King John II had been captured at the Battle of Poitiers. 

Four years after the battle, Count de Ventadour appears to have regained his freedom.

Were 'prisoners of war' ever executed?

French Heroine Joan of Arc was probably the most famous example of a prisoner of war, who was executed by the English. 

Dr Ambuhl believes that she could have actually been first female 'prisoner of war'. 

But Joan of Arc was not protected by her 'prisoner of war' status and was burned at the stake in 1431.

(Article image courtesy of Minh-Kiet Callies).