Bernard de la Salle facts for kids
Bernard de la Salle was a famous French mercenary captain during the Hundred Years War. Mercenaries were like soldiers for hire, fighting for whoever paid them. Bernard's exciting adventures are even written about in the well-known book, Chronicles of Froissart.
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Who Was Bernard de la Salle?
Bernard de la Salle, sometimes called Bernardon de la Salle, began his career around 1359. He worked for a nobleman named Jean de Grailly Captal de Buch. One of his early daring acts was climbing the walls of Clermont-en-Beauvaisis castle. He used special climbing tools to get over the defenses on November 18, 1359.
The "Tard-Venus" Problem
After a peace agreement called the Treaty of Brétigny was signed in 1360, many soldiers like Bernard found themselves without jobs. They were no longer needed by their lords. Because they had no work, Bernard and about 30 other groups of these unemployed soldiers became known as the "Tard-Venus" (which means "latecomers"). They roamed across France, often taking goods and supplies from towns and villages to survive.
Capturing Belleperche Castle
Bernard de la Salle continued his adventures in France. In 1368, he was still active with other captains like Bérard d'Albret and Gaillard de la Motte. A year later, in 1369, Bernard de la Salle, along with Bernard de Wisk and Hortingo de la Salle, achieved a major capture. They took over Belleperche Castle.
A Royal Hostage
At the time, Isabella of Valois, Duchess of Bourbon was living in Belleperche Castle. She was a very important person. The castle was soon surrounded by the armies of the Duke of Bourbon and the Duke of Burgundy. The Duke of Bourbon was Isabella's own son! The writer Froissart said that the siege camp set up by the Duke of Bourbon was "as strong and as well fortified as a good town."
Even though the "Free Companies" (another name for these mercenary groups) inside the castle were eventually forced out, they did not leave empty-handed. They took the Duchess Isabella with them as a hostage. Isabella was also the mother-in-law of King Charles V of France. She remained a prisoner of Bernard de la Salle for several years. Finally, in 1372, King Charles V arranged for a ransom to be paid. This payment secured Isabella's freedom and she was released.
