Francois Hennequin facts for kids
Francois Hennequin was a skilled mercenary captain during the Hundred Years War. Mercenaries were soldiers who fought for pay, often for different leaders or countries. Hennequin led groups of fighters during this long conflict between England and France.
A Mercenary's Life
Francois Hennequin was originally from Germany. He served as a soldier for John of Montfort, a powerful leader in Brittany. Hennequin and his men were stationed at a fort in Carhaix.
There's a story that Saint Charles, a respected figure, once cured Hennequin of a serious illness. To show his thanks, Hennequin went on a barefoot pilgrimage to a church in Guingamp. While there, he got into a fight. Someone in Guingamp had doubted that Saint Charles was truly holy, and Hennequin defended him.
The Tard-Venus Bandits
After the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360, many soldiers, including Hennequin's men, suddenly found themselves without jobs. These unemployed soldiers often formed large groups. They became known as the "Tard-Venus" (which means "latecomers" or "those who came late"). There were about 30 such groups.
These groups roamed the French countryside, often pillaging (robbing and destroying) towns and villages. This caused a lot of trouble for ordinary people. The Pope, Innocent VI, who lived in Avignon, was very concerned. He even called for a special "crusade" to stop these robber groups.
The famous book, Chronicles of Froissart, mentions these events. It tells how one group, led by a man named Guin de Batefol, had about 2,000 fighters. They planned to travel towards Avignon to see the Pope and the cardinals. On their way, they passed through and raided areas like Macon, Forez, and Lyon.
Marching on Avignon
In the spring of 1362, Hennequin's group joined up with about 2,000 other Tard-Venus soldiers. They headed towards the rich city of Avignon, which was the home of the Pope. Avignon was not very well defended.
On their journey, they attacked and looted areas like Macon, Lyon, and Forez. They eventually took over a religious building called the priory of Estivareilles. From there, they continued to rob the surrounding district. Another leader, Seguin Badefol, even took important people hostage in Macon County to demand money for their release.
Later that year, Francois Hennequin, along with other leaders like Naudon de Bageran, Espiote, Creswey, Robert Briquet, and Camus bour, separated from the main group. They marched directly towards Avignon. Their goal was to demand a large sum of money, known as a ransom, from the Pope and the cardinals.
The Final Battle
However, on June 3, 1362, this army of mercenaries faced a strong force. About 400 Spaniard and Castilian soldiers, led by Henry of Trastamara (who later became the King of Castile and Leon), attacked them. The mercenaries were completely defeated at a place called Montpensier.
