Camus Bour facts for kids
Bour Camus, also known as Camus Bour Lesparre or Camus the Bastard, was a famous mercenary captain during the Hundred Years War. A mercenary is a soldier who fights for money, not for a specific country. Camus was likely from Navarre or Gascony, regions in what is now France and Spain.
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Who Was Bour Camus?
Bour Camus was a well-known military leader in the 14th century. He led groups of soldiers who were paid to fight. His actions are recorded in important historical writings. These writings include the famous Chronicles of Froissart.
A Mercenary's Life
After the Treaty of Brétigny was signed in 1360, many soldiers found themselves without work. This treaty was a peace agreement during the Hundred Years War. These unemployed soldiers often formed groups. They sometimes became known as the Tard-Venus. These groups would travel and sometimes take goods from towns and villages.
Joining the Tard-Venus
Bour Camus and his soldiers joined these groups. They moved through southern France. They would take supplies and valuables from different areas. This period was a challenging time for many people living in the countryside.
Adventures in Italy
After the Battle of Brignais, Bour Camus traveled to Italy. He joined other well-known mercenary leaders. These included John Hawkwood, John Creswey, and Robert Briquet. They went to Italy to fight against powerful rulers. These rulers were Galeas II Visconti and Bernabo Visconti. They were the lords of Milan. Mercenaries like Camus often moved between different conflicts. They offered their fighting skills to whoever would pay them.
Capture and Later Life
Bour Camus was eventually captured. This happened in December 1367. He was taken at the castle of Beauvoir. The capture was carried out by people loyal to the Duke of Bourbon. His capture marked a turning point in his career as a mercenary captain.
