Page "Philip II of France" Paragraph 40

But the destruction of the French fleet had once again raised John's hopes up, and so he began preparing for an invasion of France and a reconquest of his lost provinces.

Initially his barons were unenthusiastic about the expedition, which delayed his departure, and so it was not until February 1214 that he was able to disembark at La Rochelle.

John was to advance from the Loire ( river ), while his ally Otto IV made a simultaneous attack from Flanders, together with the Count of Flanders.

Unfortunately, the three armies could not coordinate their efforts effectively.

It was not until John, who had been disappointed in his hope for an easy victory after being driven from Roche-au-Moine and had retreated to his transports that the Imperial Army, with Otto at its head, assembled in the Low Countries.