Battle of Ardres facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Ardres
Part of Hundred Years' War
Brignais ( 1362 ).The French army is defeated by the Great Companies , bands of ravaging mercenaries to France during the war of Hundred Years
Date 6 June 1351 Location Ardres, Pas-de-Calais, France 50°51′20″N 1°58′42″E / 50.8556°N 1.9783°E / 50.8556; 1.9783 Result French Victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of France	Kingdom of England
Commanders and leaders
Lord of Beaujeu  †	Baron Beauchamp
Strength
Unknown	600 men
Casualties and losses
Unknown, but much lighter	600 killed or captured

The Battle of Ardres was a fight between France and England on June 6, 1351. It happened near the town of Ardres in Pas-de-Calais, France. This battle was part of the long Hundred Years' War. The French army won this battle.

What Led to the Battle?

A new English commander named John de Beauchamp was in charge of Calais. He was leading a group of about 600 soldiers on a raid. His force included 300 men-at-arms and 300 mounted archers. They were exploring the area around Saint-Omer.

During their raid, a French army found them. This French force was led by Édouard I de Beaujeu, who was the French commander in the Calais region. The French quickly moved to surround the English. They trapped Beauchamp's men on a bend in a river.

Lord Beaujeu made all his soldiers get off their horses before they attacked. This was a smart move. The French had learned a lesson from an earlier battle in 1349, the Battle of Lunalonge. In that battle, they kept too many soldiers on horseback. This split their forces too quickly and caused them to lose.

The Battle Begins

The fighting was tough. During the battle, the French commander, Édouard I de Beaujeu, was killed. However, the French received help. More soldiers arrived from the nearby garrison of Saint-Omer. These reinforcements helped the French turn the tide.

With this extra help, the French army defeated the English. Many English soldiers were captured, including their commander, John Beauchamp. The French victory at Ardres showed their strength in this part of the war.