Giles d'Argentan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Giles d'Argentan
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| Born | c.1280 Argentan, Kingdom of France |
| Died | 24 June 1314 Bannockburn, Scotland |
Giles d'Argentan (c. 1280 – 24 June 1314) was a brave knight from Normandy, a region in France. He was known for his skill in battle. Giles d'Argentan fought for the English King Edward II. He sadly died during the famous Battle of Bannockburn in Scotland.
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A Very Famous Knight
Giles d'Argentan was considered one of the best knights of his time. A historical book called the Liber Pluscardensis said he was one of the top three knights in all of Christendom. Christendom was a term for all Christian lands in Europe. The other two great knights mentioned were Holy Roman Emperor Henry and King Robert I of Scotland.
Captured and Ransomed
Giles d'Argentan was born around 1280 in or near Argentan, France. He took part in a Crusade. A Crusade was a religious war to the Middle East. During this journey, he was captured by the Emperor of Byzantium, Andronikos II Palaiologos.
King Edward II of England wanted Giles d'Argentan to fight for him. So, King Edward paid a "ransom" to the Emperor. A ransom is a payment made to free a captured person. This way, Edward II got a very respected warrior on his side.
The Battle of Bannockburn
On June 24, 1314, a major battle took place. It was the second day of the Battle of Bannockburn. Giles d'Argentan was riding close to King Edward II. He was with the Earl of Pembroke.
A Brave Decision
It became clear that the English army was losing the battle. Giles d'Argentan and the Earl of Pembroke helped King Edward escape to safety. The King protested, but they insisted. The English soldiers were in great confusion.
Once they were away from the main fight, Giles d'Argentan made a brave statement. He told the King that he had "never fled from a battle." He added, "nor will I now." He then turned his horse around. He rode back towards the Scottish army.
His Final Stand
Giles d'Argentan faced the Scots alone. He was killed by a group of 800 spearmen. These spearmen were led by a man named Alexander Gillespie. His death showed his great courage and loyalty.
