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. It formed an integral part of the early Hundred Years War due to the involvement of the French and English governments in the conflict; the French supported Blois whilst the English backed Montfort and both sides expended considerable resources on this war. Although Montfort was ultimately successful following the battle of Auray in 1364, it was the French who were to gain the most from his victory. Combatants France Castile Scotland Genoa Majorca Bohemia Crown of Aragon Brittany England Burgundy Brittany Portugal Navarre Flanders Hainaut Aquitaine Luxembourg Holy Roman Empire The Hundred Years War was a conflict between France and England, lasting 116 years from 1337 to 1453. ... The first part of the Hundred Years War was from 1337 to 1360, from the outbreak of hostilities until the signing of the Treaty of Brétigny. ... The First Castilian Civil War[1] lasted three years from 1366 to 1369. ... Du Guesclin made constable by Charles V. The Caroline War was the second phase of the Hundred Years War between France and England, following the Edwardian War. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Combatants House of Blois France House of Montfort Commanders Charles of Blois John de Montfort Strength 7,000+ Unknown, small Casualties Unknown Unknown, heavy The battle of Champtoceaux, often called the battle of lHumeau, was the opening action of the twenty-three year long Breton War of Succession, a... Combatants England Genoa Commanders William de Bohun, 1st Earl of Northampton Carlo Grimaldi Strength 260 small coastal vessels 14 large galleys Casualties Unknown, light Eleven ships lost The battle of Brest, sometimes called the battle of the River Penfeld was an action in 1342 between an English squadron of converted... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Combatants House of Montfort England House of Blois France Commanders Sir Thomas Dagworth Charles of Blois Strength 180 Unknown, ~1,000 Casualties Very light Heavy The battle of St Pol de Léon was a minor action during the Breton War of Succession and thus part of the larger Hundred... The Battle of La Roche-Derrien was one of the battles of the Hundred Years War, fought in 1347 during the night between English and French forces. ... The Combat of the Thirty was a famous battle fought on March 27, 1351, during the Breton civil war (part of the Hundred Years War) between Jean de Montfort (supported by the English) and Charles de Blois (supported by the French). ... The Battle of Mauron was fought in 1352 between an Anglo-Breton force and France. ... Combatants Bretons-England Bretons-France Commanders John de Montfort Charles of Blois Strength Unknown Unknown Casualties Unknown Unknown The Battle of Auray took place on September 29, 1364 at the French town of Auray. ... The Duchy of Brittany was an independent state from 841 to 1532. ... Events The Queens College, a constituent college of the University of Oxford, is founded. ... Centuries: 13th century - 14th century - 15th century Decades: 1310s 1320s 1330s 1340s 1350s - 1360s - 1370s 1380s 1390s 1400s 1410s Years: 1359 1360 1361 1362 1363 - 1364 - 1365 1366 1367 1368 1369 See also: 1364 state leaders Events Charles V becomes King of France. ... This article is in need of attention. ... Combatants Bretons-England Bretons-France Commanders John de Montfort Charles of Blois Strength Unknown Unknown Casualties Unknown Unknown The Battle of Auray took place on September 29, 1364 at the French town of Auray. ... Centuries: 13th century - 14th century - 15th century Decades: 1310s 1320s 1330s 1340s 1350s - 1360s - 1370s 1380s 1390s 1400s 1410s Years: 1359 1360 1361 1362 1363 - 1364 - 1365 1366 1367 1368 1369 See also: 1364 state leaders Events Charles V becomes King of France. ...

Background

In the middle of the 14th century, Brittany was ruled by the House of Dreux. The dukes had a historical connection to England and were also Earls of Richmond in Yorkshire. Duke Arthur II of Dreux married twice, first to Mary of Limoges (1260-1291), then to Yolande of Dreux, countess of Montfort (1263-1322) and widow of king Alexander III of Scotland. From his first marriage he had three sons, including his heir John III and Guy, count of Penthievre (d. 1331). From Yolande, Arthur had another John who became count of Montfort. (See Dukes of Brittany family tree.) This 14th-century statue from south India depicts the gods Shiva (on the left) and Uma (on the right). ... Historical province of Brittany, showing the main areas with their name in Breton language The traditional flag of Brittany (the Gwenn-ha-du), formerly a Breton nationalist symbol but today used as a general civic flag in the region. ... Coat of arms of the Counts of Dreux. ... The title of Earl of Richmond was created many times in the Peerage of England. ... Arthur II of Dreux (July 2, 1262_August 27, 1312) was duke of Brittany, from 1305 to his death. ... Coronation of King Alexander on Moot Hill, Scone. ... John III of Dreux (in French Jean III de Dreux) (March 8, 1286 - April 30, 1341), known as the Good, was duke of Brittany, from 1312 to his death. ... This is a family tree of the Dukes of Brittany, from the 9th century, to the annexation by France in 1514. ...

John III strongly disliked the children of his father’s second marriage. He spent the first years of his reign attempting to have this marriage annulled and his half-siblings bastardized. When this failed, he tried to ensure that John of Montfort would never inherit the duchy. Since John III was childless, his heir of choice became Joanna of Dreux, la Boiteuse, daughter of his younger brother Guy. In 1337 she married Charles of Blois, the second son of a powerful French noble house and sister-son of king Philip VI of France. But in 1340, John III reconciled himself with his half-brother, and made a will that appointed John of Montfort the heir of Brittany. 30 April 1341 John III died. Uttered on his deathbed, his last words on the succession were, "For God’s sake leave me alone and do not trouble my spirit with such things." John IV of Montfort (in French Jean IV de Montfort) (1295 - September 16, 1345), was duke of Brittany, from 1341 to his death. ... Joanna of Dreux (in French Jeanne de Dreux, la Boiteuse) (1319-1384) was countess of Penthievre and nominal Duchess of Brittany during the Breton War of Succession. ... // March 16 - Edward, the Black Prince is created Duke of Cornwall, becoming the first English Duke Beginning of the Hundred Years War (c. ... Charles of Blois (died September 29, 1364), was duke of Brittany, from 1341 to his death. ... Philip VI of France Philip VI of Valois (French: Philippe VI de Valois; 1293 – August 22, 1350) was the King of France from 1328 to his death, and Count of Anjou, Maine, and Valois 1325–1328. ... Events Europe has about 74 million inhabitants. ... April 30 is the 120th day of the year (121st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events The Queens College, a constituent college of the University of Oxford, is founded. ...

The War

Most of the nobility supported Charles of Blois, so if John of Montfort was to have any chance, he was dependent upon swift action before organized resistance could be made. John quickly took possession of the ducal capital Nantes and then seized 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. Traditional city flag City coat of arms Motto: (Latin: Shall Neptune favour the traveller) Coordinates : , Time Zone : CET (GMT +1) Administration Département Loire-Atlantique (44) Région Pays-de-la-Loire Mayor Jean-Marc Ayrault (PS) (since 1989) Intercommunality Urban Community of Nantes City (commune) Characteristics Land Area 65. ... This article is about the French commune. ... Some medieval houses, such as these at Champ-Jacquet, can still be found in the center of Rennes. ... In the old city centre Harbour to cathedral Vannes (Breton: Gwened) is a town and commune located in the Morbihan département, in Brittany, in the west of France. ...

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. Combatants France Castile Scotland Genoa Majorca Bohemia Crown of Aragon Brittany England Burgundy Brittany Portugal Navarre Flanders Hainaut Aquitaine Luxembourg Holy Roman Empire The Hundred Years War was a conflict between France and England, lasting 116 years from 1337 to 1453. ... Motto (French) God and my right Anthem God Save the King (Queen) England() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto) Unified  -  by Athelstan 967 AD  Area  -  Total 130,395 km²  50,346 sq mi  Population  -  2006 estimate... // March 16 - Edward, the Black Prince is created Duke of Cornwall, becoming the first English Duke Beginning of the Hundred Years War (c. ... Events May - Pope Clement VI elected John III Comnenus becomes emperor of Trebizond Louis becomes king of Sicily and duke of Athens Constantine IV becomes king of Armenia Patriarch of Antioch transferred to Damascus under Ignatius II Kitzbühel becomes part of Tyrol Louis I becomes king of Hungary Births... Philip VI of France Philip VI of Valois (French: Philippe VI de Valois; 1293 – August 22, 1350) was the King of France from 1328 to his death, and Count of Anjou, Maine, and Valois 1325–1328. ... This article is about the King of England. ...

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 and defeat at the battle of Champtoceaux, 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. Combatants House of Blois France House of Montfort Commanders Charles of Blois John de Montfort Strength 7,000+ Unknown, small Casualties Unknown Unknown, heavy The battle of Champtoceaux, often called the battle of lHumeau, was the opening action of the twenty-three year long Breton War of Succession, a... Traditional city flag City coat of arms Motto: (Latin: Shall Neptune favour the traveller) Coordinates : , Time Zone : CET (GMT +1) Administration Département Loire-Atlantique (44) Région Pays-de-la-Loire Mayor Jean-Marc Ayrault (PS) (since 1989) Intercommunality Urban Community of Nantes City (commune) Characteristics Land Area 65. ...

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 but was driven into Brest and besieged, the siege being broken by the arrival of an English army under the Earl of Northampton at the naval battle of Brest. 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. Joanna of Flanders (1295 - 1374) was consort Duchess of Brittany by her marriage to John IV, Duke of Brittany. ... Hennebont is a commune in western France (in the historic region of Brittany), in the Morbihan département,. It is situated about ten miles from the mouth of the Blavet, which divides it into two parts: the Ville Close, the medieval military town, and the Ville Neuve on the left... William de Bohun, 1st Earl of Northampton (~1310 - 1360) was an English nobleman and military commander. ... Combatants England Genoa Commanders William de Bohun, 1st Earl of Northampton Carlo Grimaldi Strength 260 small coastal vessels 14 large galleys Casualties Unknown, light Eleven ships lost The battle of Brest, sometimes called the battle of the River Penfeld was an action in 1342 between an English squadron of converted... Calais (Kales in Dutch) is a town in northern France, located at 50°57N 1°52E. It is in the département of Pas-de-Calais, of which it is a sous-préfecture. ...

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. Brest (lol) is a city in Brittany, or the Bretagne région, north-west France, sous-préfecture of the Finistère département. ... January 19 is the 19th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events Magnus II of Sweden abdicates from the throne of Norway in favor of his son Haakon VI of Norway. ...

The truce was to last until 29 September 1346 with the hopes that in the meantime the disputes between the two kingdoms could be permanently settled, but in Brittany it made little difference. The truce bound the two kings and their followers, but Charles of Blois claimed to be fighting his own separate war, and was therefore not bound by any truce. The brutal small scale fighting continued at the same pace. September 29 is the 272nd day of the year (273rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... // Events Serbian Empire was proclaimed in Skopje by Dusan Silni, occupying much of the South-Eastern Europe Foundation of the University of Valladolid Foundation of Pembroke College, University of Cambridge August 26 Battle of Crecy after which Edward the Black Prince honored the bravery of John I, Count of Luxemburg...

In Paris John of Montfort was released from prison 1 September 1343 in return for a huge bond and a promise to stay on his estates in the east. The English coastal garrisons held firm, but the Montfortist party continued to crumble. They had some successes, such as the expulsion of the papal custodians from Vannes, but with no unifying leadership, mostly they were reduced to pleading for men and money from London. September 1 is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years). ... Events Magnus II of Sweden abdicates from the throne of Norway in favor of his son Haakon VI of Norway. ...

To hamper communication between Brest and Vannes, Charles of Blois laid siege to Quimper in early March 1344. The city fell by assault 1 May and, as usual, this meant the slaughter of civilians in huge numbers, between 1400 and 2000. The English prisoners were held for ransom, but the Breton and Norman captives were dispatched to Paris where they were executed for treason. During the summer and autumn the Montfortist party fell apart. Even those who had been John of Montfort’s staunchest allies now considered it futile to continue the struggle. It therefore mattered little that in March 1345 John finally managed to escape to England. With no adherents of note of his own, he was now little more than a figurehead for English ambitions in Brittany. Quimper (Kemper in Breton, Corspotium in Latin) is a commune of Brittany in northwestern France. ... Events English king Edward III introduces three new gold coins, the florin. ... May 1 is the 121st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (122nd in leap years). ... Events Miracle of the Host Births October 31 - King Fernando I of Portugal (died 1383) Agnès of Valois, daughter of John II of France (died 1349) Eleanor Maltravers, English noblewoman (died 1405) Deaths April 14 - Richard Aungerville, English writer and bishop (born 1287) September 16 - John IV, Duke of...

Edward III decided to repudiate the truce already in summer 1345, a year before it was due to run out. As part of his larger strategy, a force was dispatched to Brittany under the joint leadership of the Earl of Northampton and John of Montfort. Within a week of their landing in June, the English had their first victory when Sir Thomas Dagworth, one of Northampton’s lieutenants, raided central Brittany and defeated Charles of Blois at Cadoret near Josselin. William de Bohun, 1st Earl of Northampton (~1310 - 1360) was an English nobleman and military commander. ... Sir Thomas Dagworth (d. ... Josselin is a commune of France, in the Morbihan département, in the region of Brittany. ...

The follow-up was less impressive. Further operations were delayed until July when Montfort attempted the recapture of Quimper. However news had reached the French government that Edward’s main campaign had been cancelled and they were able to send reinforcements from Normandy. With his strengthened army, Charles of Blois broke the siege. Routed, Montfort fled back to Hennebont where he fell ill and died 16 September. The heir to the Montfortist cause was his 5-year-old son John. // 1400 - Owain Glyndŵr declared Prince of Wales by his followers. ... John V (in French Jean V) (1339 – November 1, 1399), known as the Conqueror, was duke of Brittany and count of Montfort, from 1345 to his death. ...

During the winter Northampton fought a long and hard winter campaign with apparent objective of seizing a harbour on the north side of the peninsula. Edward III had probably planned to land here with his main force during summer 1346. However the English achieved very little for their efforts. Northern Brittany was Joanna of Dreux’ home region and resistance here was stiff. The only bright spot for the English was victory at the Battle of La Roche-Derrien, where the small town was captured and garrison installed under Richard Totesham. // Events Serbian Empire was proclaimed in Skopje by Dusan Silni, occupying much of the South-Eastern Europe Foundation of the University of Valladolid Foundation of Pembroke College, University of Cambridge August 26 Battle of Crecy after which Edward the Black Prince honored the bravery of John I, Count of Luxemburg... The Battle of La Roche-Derrien was one of the battles of the Hundred Years War, fought in 1347 during the night between English and French forces. ...

In the end, Edward decided upon Normandy as the landing spot for his -46 campaign. Northampton was recalled and Thomas Dagworth was appointed as deputy lieutenant. It was during a tour through the English strongholds that on 9 June Dagworth and his escort were trapped by Charles of Blois and his army near Saint-Pol-de-Léon. They dug in on a hill top and fought off all attacks until nightfall when Charles was forced to retreat leaving many of his wounded behind. June 9 is the 160th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (161st in leap years), with 205 days remaining. ... Saint-Pol-de-Léon is a commune of the Finistère département, in France. ...

Chronology

• April 30, 1341 – John III dies without heirs. Joanna and Charles of Blois became dukes of Brittany. John of Montfort refuses to accept and calls for the help of king Edward III of England.

• 1343 – John of Montfort is taken prisoner, but is released shortly afterwards. Charles tries to take advantage and attacks Hennebont, but the city is defended with success by Joanna of Flanders, wife of Montfort. An English army relieves the siege and forces the Blois to a truce, broken shortly afterwards.

• 1344 - Charles takes Quimper with the help of a French army, courtesy of king Philip VI of France, and slaughters 2000 civilians

• 1345 – John of Montfort fails to recover Quimper and dies. His ambitions over Brittany are inherited by is son John V. His mother Joanna of Flanders becomes the political and military commander of the Montfort faction.

• between 1346 and 1364, several minor battles are won and lost by both parts, several truces are signed and broken
  • March 27, 1351 - Combat of the Thirty

• September 29, 1364 – Battle of Auray. Bertrand du Guesclin and Charles of Blois are heavily defeated by John V and the English warlord Sir John Chandos. Charles is killed in action, ending the Blois pretensions in Brittany.

• 1365 – John V is recognized as Duke of Brittany and Joanna of Dreux gives up any claim to the duchy in the Treaty of Guérande. Surprisingly the new duke declares himself as a vassal, not to the English king that helped him, but to king Charles V of France.

April 30 is the 120th day of the year (121st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events The Queens College, a constituent college of the University of Oxford, is founded. ... This article is about the King of England. ... Events Magnus II of Sweden abdicates from the throne of Norway in favor of his son Haakon VI of Norway. ... Joanna of Flanders (1295 - 1374) was consort Duchess of Brittany by her marriage to John IV, Duke of Brittany. ... Events English king Edward III introduces three new gold coins, the florin. ... Philip VI of France Philip VI of Valois (French: Philippe VI de Valois; 1293 – August 22, 1350) was the King of France from 1328 to his death, and Count of Anjou, Maine, and Valois 1325–1328. ... Events Miracle of the Host Births October 31 - King Fernando I of Portugal (died 1383) Agnès of Valois, daughter of John II of France (died 1349) Eleanor Maltravers, English noblewoman (died 1405) Deaths April 14 - Richard Aungerville, English writer and bishop (born 1287) September 16 - John IV, Duke of... John V (in French Jean V) (1339 – November 1, 1399), known as the Conqueror, was duke of Brittany and count of Montfort, from 1345 to his death. ... March 27 is the 86th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (87th in leap years). ... Events End of the reign of Emperor Suko of Japan, third of the Northern Ashikaga Pretenders Start of the reign of Emperor Go-Kogon of Japan, fourth of the Northern Ashikaga Pretenders May 1 Zürich joins the Swiss Confederation. ... The Combat of the Thirty was a famous battle fought on March 27, 1351, during the Breton civil war (part of the Hundred Years War) between Jean de Montfort (supported by the English) and Charles de Blois (supported by the French). ... September 29 is the 272nd day of the year (273rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Centuries: 13th century - 14th century - 15th century Decades: 1310s 1320s 1330s 1340s 1350s - 1360s - 1370s 1380s 1390s 1400s 1410s Years: 1359 1360 1361 1362 1363 - 1364 - 1365 1366 1367 1368 1369 See also: 1364 state leaders Events Charles V becomes King of France. ... Combatants Bretons-England Bretons-France Commanders John de Montfort Charles of Blois Strength Unknown Unknown Casualties Unknown Unknown The Battle of Auray took place on September 29, 1364 at the French town of Auray. ... Statue of Bertrand du Guesclin in Dinan Bertrand du Guesclin (c. ... Sir John Chandos (died 1369) was an English knight. ... Events Foundation of the University of Vienna Births John de Ros, 6th Baron de Ros (died 1394) Thomas de Mowbray, 1st Duke of Norfolk (died 1399) Deaths May 17 - Louis VI the Roman, elector of Brandenburg (born 1328) July 27 - Duke Rudolf IV of Austria (born 1339) Categories: 1365 ... Charles V the Wise (French: Charles V le Sage) (January 21, 1338 – September 16, 1380) was king of France from 1364 to 1380 and a member of the Valois Dynasty. ...

See also

• Duke of Brittany – Dukes of Brittany family tree
• Hundred Years' War