Bertrand du Guesclin

Bertrand du Guesclin (c. 1320 ? 1380) was Constable of France from 1370 to 1380. He is often considered as one of the greatest French soldiers of his time and one of the important figures of the Hundred Years' War (1337-1453).

Related Topics:
1320 - 1380 - Constable of France - 1370 - Hundred Years' War - 1337 - 1453

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Du Guesclin was born in Motte-Broons, near Dinan, in Brittany. He initially served Charles of Blois in the Breton War of Succession (1341-1364). Charles was supported by the French crown, while his rival was allied with England. In 1356-1357, Du Guesclin held Rennes against English attack.

Related Topics:
Motte-Broons - Dinan - Brittany - Charles of Blois - Breton War of Succession - 1341 - 1364 - England - 1356 - 1357 - Rennes

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Entering the service of King Charles V of France on Charles's accession (1364), he won the victory of Cocherel over the forces of King Charles II of Navarre. The victory forced Charles II into a new peace with the French king.

Related Topics:
Charles V of France - 1364 - Cocherel - Charles II of Navarre

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On September 29, 1364, at the battle of Auray, du Guesclin and Charles of Blois were heavily defeated by John V, Duke of Brittany and the English forces under warlord Sir John Chandos. Charles was killed in action, ending the Blois pretentions in Brittany. Du Guesclin was captured. Ransomed by Charles V for 100,000 francs{{ref|Nuttall}}, who placed him at the head of the "free companies," the marauding soldiers who pillaged France after the Treaty of Brétigny between France and England, Du Guesclin was sent to Spain to aid Henry of Trastamara (later Henry II of Castile) against Peter the Cruel.

Related Topics:
September 29 - 1364 - Battle of Auray - John V, Duke of Brittany - Warlord - John Chandos - Blois - Ransom - Treaty of Brétigny - Spain - Henry of Trastamara - Peter the Cruel

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Du Guesclin, though successful in the campaign of 1366, was defeated and captured in 1367 by Peter and Edward the Black Prince at Nájera. In 1369, however, he and Henry won the battle of Montiel, gaining for Henry the throne of Castile.

Related Topics:
1366 - 1367 - Edward the Black Prince - Nájera - 1369 - Battle of Montiel - Castile

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Warfare with England was renewed in 1369, and Du Guesclin reconquered Poitou and Saintonge and pursued the English into Brittany from 1370 to 1374. He disapproved of the confiscation of Brittany by Charles V in 1378, and his campaign to make the duchy submit to the king was halfhearted.

Related Topics:
1369 - Poitou - Saintonge - 1370 - 1374 - 1378 - The duchy

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An able tactician and a loyal and disciplined warrior, Du Guesclin had reconquered much of France from the English when he died of dysentery while on a military expedition in Languedoc. He was buried at Saint-Denis in the tomb of the kings of France. His heart is kept at the basilica of Saint-Sauveur at Dinan.

Related Topics:
Dysentery - Languedoc - Saint-Denis - Tomb of the kings of France

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