Charles d'Albret

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Charles d'Albret (d. October 25, 1415) was Constable of France two different times: from 1402 until 1411, and again from 1413 until 1415. He was also the co-commander of the French army at the Battle of Agincourt where he was killed by a bodkin arrow that had pierced his breastplate.

He was born into an old Gascon family, the son of Arnaud, Lord of Albret, and fought under Bertrand du Guesclin as a young man. He was made the constable of France by Charles VI in 1402, but dismissed when the Burgundian faction gained power at court. He was restored to his office in 1413 when the Armagnac faction regained power.

Although nominal commander of the French army in the Agincourt campaign together with Marshal Boucicaut, the two professional soldiers could not exercise effective control over the higher-ranking French nobles on the day of the battle.

[edit] Family

He married Marie de Sully, daughter of Louis de Sully, on January 27, 1400 and had issue:

• Jeanne d'Albret (1403–1435), married in 1422 Jean I of Foix-Grailly, Count of Foix. They were parents of Gaston IV of Foix.
• Charles II d'Albret (1407–1471)
• Guillaume d'Albret (d. 1429), Lord of Orval
• Jean d'Albret
• Catherine d'Albret, married Jean de Montagu (1363–1409), vidame of Laon and illegitimate son of Charles V of France.

[edit] See also

• Albret

Preceded by —

Count of Dreux 1413?–1415

Succeeded by Charles II