Arnoul d'Audrehem facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Arnoul d'Audrehem
Arms of Arnoul d'Audrehem: Bandee azure and argent, a bordure gules.
Died	1370

Arnoul d'Audrehem (born around 1305 – died 1370) was a brave French knight and a Marshal of France. This was a very important military leader position. He fought in the Hundred Years' War, a long conflict between England and France.

A French Knight's Journey

Arnoul d'Audrehem was born in a place called Audrehem, which is now in France. We don't know much about his early life. He first appears in history around 1332, working for Philip VI of France, the King of France.

Early Adventures

Between 1332 and 1342, Arnoul traveled to Scotland three times. He went there to help King David Bruce in his wars. In 1342, he became a captain for the French king in Brittany, a region in France. Later, he served in the household of the duke of Normandy. In 1346, he was one of the defenders of Calais. When Calais fell, he was taken as a prisoner to England by King Edward III of England.

Becoming a Marshal

From 1349, Arnoul d'Audrehem became a very important military figure in France. He started as a captain in Angoulême. In June 1351, he was promoted to marshal of France. This meant he was one of the highest-ranking military commanders.

He was given more important roles. In 1352, he became the king's lieutenant (a representative) in the area between the Loire and Dordogne rivers. In 1353, he served in Normandy. By 1355, he was in charge of military matters in Artois, Picardy, and the Boulonnais regions.

Key Moments in Battle

Arnoul d'Audrehem was involved in a famous event in 1356. He helped arrest Charles II of Navarre, a powerful noble, and his supporters. This happened at a banquet hosted by the dauphin, who later became Charles V of France, in Rouen.

At the Battle of Poitiers in 1356, Arnoul advised John II of France, the French king, to attack the English. He bravely charged into the front lines of the French army. He was slightly wounded and taken prisoner by the English.

Freedom and New Missions

While in England, Arnoul was allowed to visit France several times. He played an active part in the talks for the Treaty of Brétigny. This treaty helped end a part of the Hundred Years' War. He gained his freedom at the same time as King John.

In 1361, Arnoul was the king's lieutenant in Languedoc. He stopped groups of soldiers called "free companies" from taking over castles. These were soldiers who were no longer paid and often caused trouble. He also helped arrange a deal where these companies went to Spain to fight for Henry, Count of Trastámara (who later became Henry II of Castile).

Adventures in Spain

In 1365, Arnoul joined another famous French knight, Bertrand du Guesclin, on an expedition to Spain. They fought in the Battle of Nájera (Navarette) in 1367. During this battle, Arnoul was again taken prisoner by Edward, the Black Prince, who was the son of King Edward III of England.

A Knight's Honor

The Black Prince remembered that Arnoul had promised not to fight against him after the Battle of Poitiers, until his ransom was paid. When the Prince saw Arnoul, he was very angry. He called Arnoul a "liar and traitor."

Arnoul denied this. He said he was neither a liar nor a traitor. The Prince then asked if Arnoul would let a group of knights decide who was right. Arnoul agreed. After dinner, the Prince chose twelve knights: four English, four from Gascony, and four from Brittany.

The Black Prince explained his side. Then, Arnoul d'Audrehem replied. He argued that he had not broken his word. He said the army the Prince led was not truly the Prince's own. He claimed the Prince was just fighting for pay for Peter of Castile. The knights thought Arnoul's argument about the Prince's position was fair. They decided in Arnoul's favor. However, Arnoul still had to pay his ransom, which he couldn't do until 1369.

Later Years and Death

In 1368, because of his age, Arnoul was relieved of his duties as Marshal. Instead, he was given the special role of carrying the oriflamme. This was a very important battle flag of France. He also received a pension of 2,000 livres (a type of money).

In 1370, Charles V of France sent Arnoul to Spain. His mission was to ask his friend du Guesclin to return to France. Even though he was old, Arnoul took part in the Battle of Pontvallain in December 1370. He became ill after the battle and died, probably in Saumur, in late December 1370.