Bour de Breteuil facts for kids
Bour de Breteuil was a famous mercenary captain during the Hundred Years' War. Mercenaries were soldiers who fought for money, not for a specific country or king. Bour de Breteuil was known for leading his own group of fighters.
He came from the powerful noble family of Lesparre in Gironde, a region in southern France. Even though he was born outside of marriage, his family background was important. In the 13th century, this kind of background often meant a person had to find their own way. For Bour de Breteuil, this path led him to become a mercenary captain.
Life as a Mercenary Captain
After the Treaty of Brétigny was signed on May 8, 1360, many soldiers like Bour de Breteuil found themselves without work. This treaty was meant to bring peace between England and France, but it left many fighting men unemployed. Without regular pay, some of these groups turned to raiding the French countryside. They would take supplies and money from towns to survive.
The Battle of Brignais
Bour de Breteuil was a key figure in the Battle of Brignais, which took place on April 6, 1362. In this battle, a group of these unemployed soldiers, including Bour de Breteuil's company, fought against the King of France's army. Surprisingly, the mercenary groups won this important battle.
After this victory, the King of France wanted to get these powerful mercenary groups out of his country. He offered them a large payment of gold. Bour de Breteuil, along with other leaders like John Hawkwood, John Creswey, and Robert Briquet, accepted this offer. They agreed to leave France and travel to Italy.
Moving to Italy
Once in Italy, Bour de Breteuil and his soldiers found new work as mercenaries. Italy at this time was made up of many different city-states and kingdoms, often at war with each other. This created a high demand for skilled fighting groups. Bour de Breteuil continued his career there, leading his company and fighting for various Italian rulers.
See also
- Lesparre Castle
