Battle of Jargeau

The battles of Jargeau is a combat of the Guerre one hundred year old which took place the June 12th 1429.

Context

This battle falls under the intention which wanted Jeanne d' Arc, then on the way for Rheims where the Charles dolphin, future Charles VII, must be crowned. Jeanne d' Arc wants " a free road and sûre" she will say. It is in this logic that it thus will get busy, still carried by its victory with Orleans (May 8th, 1429), to still drive out definitively the English troops places from there in the Loire Valley.

With about fifteen kilometers of the released city, there remains then always part of the English troops, demolished at the time of the battle of May 8th. This army, ordered by the duke of Suffolk elected retirement in the small village of Jargeau and is on the point of receiving the duke of Bedford accompanied by reinforcements.

the battle

The French Army sees at its head the duke Jean d' Alençon, faithful companion of Jeanne d' Arc.

Whereas this one counted on the presence of almost 2000 men for the battle, it is joined soon by the companies of Jean de Dunois and Florent d' Illiers, then captain of Châteaudun. It is found thus equipped with a military force twice more important than at its origin.

Jeanne d' Arc pushes the captains with walk on Jargeau, seeing their hesitation vis-a-vis the probable multitude of the English taken refuge over there. The royal army, is put then on the way towards the small city, in the idea to stop for the night with the doors of the city. However, the English army came to the meeting from the French troops forcing them to the combat. The Duke of Alençon reports this moment thus: What indicator, Jeanne, taking his standard, went to the attack, exhorting the soldiers that they had good courage and they made as much as, this night there, the soldiers of the king was placed in the suburbs of Jargeau. I believe that God led this business, because this night, there was so to speak no guard, so that if the English had left the city, the soldiers of the king had been into tall péril.

The following day, day of June 12th, the battle begins again, and Jeanne d' Arc insufflates the will of God with the French troops, ensuring the victory to them: " Act and God agira". Shortly after the beginning of the battle, Jeanne d' Arc goes up to the ramparts by holding up its standard. However, a stone comes to strike it with the head and causes its fall, but carried by its determination it is raised and exhorts her companions.

In full combat, the duke of Suffolk asks to be intended in order to obtain a truce, but the hour of the requests is too late and in an irresistible dash, the French seize Jargeau then launch out to the continuation of the English. Whereas Suffolk is made prisoner, its troops are folded up in disorder on Meung-sur-Loire and Beaugency. This last place will fall a few days afterwards.

June 17th, in the middle of the plain of Beauce, Jeanne d' Arc will lay out her troops in battle order and will gain a new victory with Patay.

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