Bour de Breteuil facts for kids
Bour de Breteuil was a famous mercenary captain during the Hundred Years' War. This was a long conflict between England and France. Bour de Breteuil was known for leading groups of soldiers who fought for money.
He was born into the powerful Lesparre family from Gironde, a region in southern France. Even though his family was noble, he was born outside of marriage. Because of this, he chose to become a mercenary captain. This meant he led soldiers who were paid to fight for different rulers.
What is a Mercenary?
A mercenary is a soldier who fights for money. They are not usually loyal to a specific country or king. Instead, they offer their fighting skills to anyone who can pay them. During the Middle Ages, many rulers hired mercenaries to fight in their armies. This was especially true during long wars like the Hundred Years' War.
Life After the Treaty of Brétigny
In 1360, a peace agreement called the Treaty of Brétigny was signed. This treaty temporarily ended some of the fighting in the Hundred Years' War. Many mercenaries, including Bour de Breteuil, suddenly found themselves without jobs.
Without work, these soldiers often caused trouble. They formed groups and roamed the French countryside. They would take supplies and money from towns and villages. This was a difficult time for many ordinary people.
The Battle of Brignais
Bour de Breteuil was a key figure in the Battle of Brignais. This battle took place on April 6, 1362. In this fight, a group of these unemployed mercenary companies joined forces. They fought against the army of the King of France. Surprisingly, the mercenary groups won the battle. This showed how powerful and organized these mercenary captains could be.
After the battle, the King of France wanted to get rid of these troublesome groups. He offered them a large payment of gold. The deal was that they had to leave France. Bour de Breteuil, along with other leaders like John Hawkwood and Robert Briquet, accepted this offer. They then traveled to Italy. In Italy, they found new work as mercenaries for different Italian rulers. This allowed them to continue their careers as paid soldiers.
See also
- Lesparre Castle
