Portal:Military history of France/Selected biography/9
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Bertrand du Guesclin (c. 1320 – 13 July 1380) was a French-Breton knight and military commander during the Hundred Years' War. He was Constable of France from 1370 until his death. His strategy of wearing down the English while avoiding major battles allowed the French to recapture most of what they had lost earlier in the war.
Bertrand du Guesclin was born in Broons, near Dinan, in Bretagne. His family was of minor Breton nobility, the lords of Broon. 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. He entered the service of Charles V when he became King of France in 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.
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 Sir John Chandos. Charles was killed in action, ending the Blois pretensions in Brittany. (More...)
