Breton War of Succession

The Breton War of Succession was a conflict between the Houses of Blois and Montfort for control of the Duchy of Brittany. It was fought between 1341 and 1364.

The War

Most of the nobility supported Charles of Blois, so if John of Montfort was to have any chance, he was dependant upon swift action before organized resistance could be made. John quickly took possession of the ducal capital Nantes and then sized the ducal treasury at Limoges. By the middle of August, John of Montfort was in possession of most of the duchy, including the three principal cities, Nantes, Rennes and Vannes.

Related Topics:
Nantes - Limoges - Rennes - Vannes

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Up to this point, the succession crisis had been a purely internal affair. But to complicate things further, the Hundred Years? War between England and France had broken out four years earlier, in 1337. In 1341 there was truce between the two countries, but there was little doubt that hostilities would be renewed when the truce ended in June 1342. Thus, when rumours reached Philip VI of France that John of Montfort had received English agents, the French Crown naturally took a more direct interest in the situation. Charles of Blois became the official French candidate. Whatever had been his original intentions, John of Montfort was now forced to support Edward III of England as King of France.

Related Topics:
Hundred Years? War - England - France - 1337 - June - 1342 - Philip VI of France - Edward III of England

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Edward III was bound by the truce not to take any offensive action in France. Nothing in it hindered France from subduing rebellious vassals. In November, after a short siege, John of Montfort was forced to surrender at Nantes by the citizens. He was offered safe conduct to negotiate a settlement with Charles of Blois, but when this led nowhere he was thrown in prison.

Related Topics:
November - Nantes

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It now fell upon John?s wife, Joanna of Flanders to lead the Montfortist cause. Deeming her possessions in the east undefendable, she set up headquarters at Hennebont in western Brittany. In Paris it was feared that Edward III would land at Calais once the truce ran out. The major part of the French army was therefore withdrawn, and Charles of Blois left to pursue his claim on his own. Charles soon proved himself as an able soldier, Rennes and Vannes were taken and many of Montfortist captains defected.

Related Topics:
Joanna of Flanders - Hennebont - Calais

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In late November, Edward III arrived with his army at Brest. He almost at once marched against Vannes. The siege dragged on and a French army was assembled to meet him, but 19 January 1343, before any major engagements could be fought, the two kings agreed upon a new truce. Vannes was taken into papal custody. With John of Montfort in prison, his son an infant, and his wife recently gone mad, the places under Montfortist control in practise to be administrated from London, with a large permanent English garrison at Brest.

Related Topics:
Brest - 19 January - 1343

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