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The Battle of Baugé, fought between the English and the Franco-Scots on March 21, 1421 in Baugé, France, east of Angers, was one of the first defeats for England during the Hundred Years' War. The English army was led by Thomas of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Clarence, while the Franco-Scots were led by both John Stewart, 2nd Earl of Buchan, and Sieur de Lafayette, the Constable of France. Although the English strength was 3,000 men, only 1,500 fought in the battle against the French-Scots' 5,000.
[edit] Prelude
On March 21, 1421, the 3,000-strong English army was resting near the little town of Bauge, when it discovered that a larger Franco-Scots army was arriving. By the time the Franco-Scots arrived, the English forces had already dispersed in separate parties, the archers having ridden off in search of forage and plunder. One of the parties managed to capture a Scots knight, and brought him to the Duke of Clarence, who was totally unaware of the presence of the Franco-Scots, and was having dinner at the time. As the next day was Easter Sunday, a holy day, the Duke was confronted with a problem. Nevertheless, he decided that he would attack, and do what had to be done. About an hour before sunset, he decided to launch an attack without waiting for the rest of his army, mainly archers, and leaving Sir Gilbert Umfraville, a knight who had fought at Agincourt and at Harfleur, to stay behind. They had only 1,500 men as against 5,000 men in the other army.
[edit] The battle
The armies engaged at a bridge in hand-to-hand combat. Attempting to outflank the enemy, the Duke dismounted, and floundered across the river in full armour. They drove the enemy back into the village by charging the enemy's flank. As they charged up the ridge, the Scots suddenly ran down to meet them. In the melee, the Duke was killed by Sir Alexander Buchanan who also captured his ducal cap. The English were hurled back down the slope to the muddy riverbank, and completely slaughtered. Gilbert Umfraville, Lord Ros and the Earl of Tankerville were killed, and both the Earl of Somerset and Earl of Huntingdon were captured. Later that night, the Earl of Salisbury arrived, bringing the rest of Clarence's army, including 1,000 archers. Salisbury conducted a retreat to Normandy, without further problem.
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