Battle of Auray

The battles of Auray (September 29th 1364) is the last battle of the War of succession of Brittany, war regional which falls under the Franco-English competition of the Guerre One hundred Year old. She opposes a anglo-Breton army to the orders of Jean IV of Montfort to a free-Breton force supporting the party of Charles of Blois.

Be a prelude to

At the beginning of 1364, after the failure of the negotiations of Évran, the young person Jean IV of Brittany, wire of Jean de Montfort, with the assistance of the English John Chandos, comes to attack Auray with the hands of Free-Breton since 1342. It enters Auray and besieges the castle which by sea the ships of Nicolas Bouchart block, of the Croisic.
The vivres have suddenly missed, besieged agree to return the place, if the helps do not arrive before Saint-Michel.
The September 27th, while Charles of Blois is with the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Lanvaux, Of Guesclin, which orders the avant-garde, is with Brandivy. The 28, From Guesclin comes to settle on left bank of Loc' H, for castle. To avoid being between the castle and the French Army, Jean IV evacuates Auray and places himself vis-a-vis the enemy, on the slope of the bank droite.
The 29, of the attempts at agreement take place, without success and Charles of Blois orders the attack. Its army passes the river and lines up vis-a-vis the south. Jean IV follows the movement and lines up vis-a-vis north.

Involved forces

Free-Breton army of Charles of Blois

On the left the Count d' Auxerre, on the right Of Guesclin, in the center Charles of Blois. A weak reserve which will not be used.

Anglo-Breton army of Jean IV of Brittany

On the right Clisson, on the left the English Robert Knolles, in the center Jean IV and the Chandos English. An important reserve lends to intervene.

The battle

A first short skirmish opposes the French principal rafters and the English archers. Then the men-at-arms precipitate without seeking with manœuvrer.
The combat is baited, because all want that this battle is decisive and puts an end to this long and cruel war. Moreover the instruction was given on both sides not to make a district with that of the two applicants who has suddenly fallen to the hands from his ennemis.
Each anglo-Breton body is inserted, one after the other, but the reserves restore the situation. On the other hand the free-Breton right wing folds and, not being supported by the reserves, is folded up towards the center. The left wing folds in its turn and the troops of Charles of Blois release foot. Charles, reversed of a blow of lance, is completed by an English soldier obeying the instruction given. Of Guesclin, having broken all its weapons, is obliged to go to John Chandos.

Consequences

This victory puts an end to the war of succession of Brittany and by the treated of Guérande, in 1365, the king of France recognizes Jean IV of Brittany like Duc of Brittany.

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