an ancient, large, and considerable town of France, capital of Poictou. It was a bishop's see, and contained four abbeys, a mint, an university famous for law, 22 parishes, 9 convents for men, and 12 nunneries. There are here several Roman antiquities, and particularly an amphitheatre, but partly demolished, and hid by the houses. There is also a triumphal arch, which serves as a gate to the great street. It is not peopled in proportion to its extent. Near this place Edward the Black Prince gained a decisive victory over the French, taking King John and his son Philip prisoners, in 1356, whom he afterwards brought over into England. See FRANCE, n° 71, &c.—It is seated on a hill on the river Clain, 52 miles south-west of Tours, and 120 north by east of Bordeaux. E. Long. c. 25. N. Lat. 46. 35.