Gascon campaign of 1450–1453 facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gascon campaign of 1450-1453
Part of the Hundred Years' War
Date 1450 – 5 October 1453 Location Duchy of Gascony Result French victory - Gascony annexed to France.
Belligerents
Kingdom of France Duchy of Brittany	Kingdom of England Duchy of Gascony
Commanders and leaders
Charles VII of France Jean Bureau Peter II, Duke of Brittany Jacques de Chabannes Jean de Dunois Jean II de Bourbon Olivier de Coëtivy Gaston IV de Foix-Béarn	Gadifer Shorthose Thomas Gassiot John Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury   † John Talbot, Viscount Lisle   † John de Foix, Earl of Kendal  (POW) Pierre de Montferrand Gaillard IV de Durfort

The Gascon campaign of 1450-1453 was a major part of the Hundred Years' War. It was a fight where France tried to take control of Gascony from England. After important French victories, especially at the Battle of Castillon and the fall of Bordeaux, England lost its last major area in Gascony.

Why Gascony Was Important

After the French took back Normandy, King Charles VII of France focused on Gascony. Gascony was the last English area in France. It had been under English control for about 300 years, since 1154.

The First French Attack

On November 1, 1450, French forces won against an English army. This happened at the Battle of Blanquefort. By early 1452, the important city of Bordeaux had fallen to the French. After this, England only held the Pale of Calais and the Channel Islands in France.

England Fights Back

However, on October 17, 1452, an English leader named John Talbot arrived in Gascony. Just six days later, the people of Bordeaux helped Talbot. He was able to enter the city. By December, most of western Gascony was back under English control.

There was a small defeat for the English at the Battle of Martignas. About 500 English archers were surprised by soldiers led by the Duke of Brabant and the Count of Foix.

King Charles VII of France had expected the English to attack Normandy. So, he gathered his army during the winter. By early 1453, his forces were ready to fight.

Meanwhile, Talbot received more soldiers. His fourth son, John, Lord Lisle, brought 3,000 troops. Another 2,000 soldiers from Gascony joined him. These were led by Jean de Foix, Earl of Kendal. This made Talbot's army about 8,000 strong. The French army had around 10,000 soldiers.

The Battle of Castillon

French forces began to surround the town of Castillon-la-Bataille. Talbot moved his army to meet them. He had only 500 men-at-arms and 800 archers. He was waiting for the rest of his army, led by the Earl of Kendal, to join him.

Talbot's troops first beat a small group of French archers near the Castillon Church. Talbot then moved towards the main French camp. He thought the French were retreating. But actually, only the camp followers were leaving before the battle.

Jean Bureau, who was in charge of the French cannons, had set up a strong camp. It had three hundred cannons ready to fire.

Talbot, due to an earlier agreement, was the only Englishman on horseback. He also was not wearing his armor. As his soldiers moved forward, they were hit hard by the French cannons. Even when his reinforcements arrived, they faced the same problem.

Despite the difficult situation for the English, the battle lasted over an hour. Then, the Duke of Brittany led his cavalry. They attacked the English from behind and the side. Talbot was killed, possibly after his horse was shot. A French archer then finished him off. Talbot's son, Lisle, was also killed. The Earl of Kendal was captured.

This battle, known as the Battle of Castillon, was a huge French victory. After this, the city of Bordeaux fell to the French. These events marked the end of the Hundred Years' War.