On 19 September 1356 an English army under the command of Edward of Woodstock (1330–1376), also known as the Black Prince, won a smashing victory over a numerically superior French army led by Jean II (1319–1364). Jean II, of course, was captured. While it was unclear who could claim the honor of actually having done so, what was not in dispute was that Edward III (1312–1377) would ultimately claim the ransom. In fact, this provision was specifically spelled out in the 10 July 1355 indenture between the king and the prince. The prince was free to “have his will” of any prisoners “except only the head [chief] of the war.” In exchange, the prince would receive suitable compensation.

In addition to the ransoms of prisoners the indenture spelled out the prince's and Edward III's responsibilities and obligations. In this, it was like other indentures of the period. The indenture was, essentially, a contract for military service made between the recruiter, e.g., Edward III, and the captain, e.g., the Black Prince. The captain would then subcontract with the men in his retinue and he would pay their wages out of the moneys he had received from the king. The system of indentures, particularly for overseas service – given Edward III's foreign policy, overseas deployment was highly likely – had replaced the feudal levy before the 1350s.