Hugh Calveley facts for kids
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Sir Hugh Calveley (who passed away on April 23, 1394) was a brave English knight and military leader. He became famous during the Hundred Years' War, a long conflict between England and France. He also played important roles in other wars, like the War of the Breton Succession and the Castilian Civil War. He held many military jobs in places like Brittany and Normandy. It's important not to confuse him with his nephew, also named Sir Hugh Calveley, who was a Member of Parliament.
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Who Was Sir Hugh Calveley?
Hugh Calveley was born in Cheshire, England. He was the youngest son of David de Calveley and Joanna. His family lived in a place called Calveley Hall. His name was sometimes spelled in different ways, like Calverley or Calvelegh.
He was likely born at Lea Hall, another family home. Historians think he was born sometime between 1315 and 1333. Hugh Calveley married an Aragonese princess named Constanza. She was the daughter of a Sicilian baron.
It's also thought that he might have been a close relative, perhaps even a half-brother, of another famous knight, Sir Robert Knolles.
Fighting in the Breton Civil War
Like many other young English soldiers, Hugh Calveley fought in Brittany. This was during the Breton War of Succession, a fight over who would be the Duke of Brittany. Hugh supported Jean de Montfort, who was backed by England, against Charles de Blois, who was supported by France.
In 1351, Hugh Calveley fought in a famous battle called the Battle of the Thirty. He was on the English side, but his side lost, and he was captured. He was later set free after a payment was made. He probably became a knight around 1361.
In 1354, Calveley was in charge of an English fort called Becherel. He planned to attack Montmuran castle to capture a French leader, Arnoul d'Audrehem. But another famous knight, Bertrand du Guesclin, was ready for the attack. Calveley was knocked off his horse, captured, and later set free.
In 1359, Sir Robert Knolles and Calveley led an army into the Rhône Valley. They captured the city of Le Puy. Their campaign ended when they couldn't reach Avignon because a large army blocked their way.
At the Battle of Auray in 1364, Calveley led the reserve soldiers for Jean de Montfort's army. His commander was Sir John Chandos. Charles de Blois was killed in this battle, which helped Jean de Montfort become the Duke of Brittany.
Adventures in Spain
After the war in Brittany ended, many soldiers like Calveley were out of work. These soldiers formed groups called Free Companies. They often supported themselves by raiding towns, which caused problems for France.
A solution came when the kingdoms of Aragon and France, along with the Pope, decided to pay these Free Companies. Their new mission was to help Enrique of Trastamara become the king of Castile. At that time, Castile was ruled by Enrique's half-brother, Pedro.
Calveley joined this campaign from 1365 to 1367. It's interesting that he fought alongside Bertrand du Guesclin, who had been his enemy before! For his help, Enrique made him the Count of Carrion. He also married Constanza, a lady-in-waiting to the Aragonese queen.
Pedro, the king of Castile, asked England for help. So, Calveley was called back to serve England by the Black Prince. He then helped Pedro try to get his throne back. This led to the important Battle of Nájera. In this battle, Calveley was in charge of the rearguard. He helped deliver the final blow to the enemy with a cavalry charge. Even though Enrique had given him the title of Count of Carrion, Pedro confirmed it after he became king again.
In 1367, the Black Prince sent Calveley to Aragon. His job was to convince the king of Aragon, Pedro the Ceremonious, to stop supporting Enrique. Calveley succeeded in his mission.
War with France Continues
When fighting started again between England and France in 1369, Calveley was back in action. He first raided the lands of French nobles who had switched sides. He took part in at least three more campaigns until 1374.
He was one of the commanders of the English army that lost badly to Bertrand du Guesclin at the Battle of Pontvallain in 1370. However, he managed to escape.
From 1375 to 1378, Calveley was the governor of Calais, which was a very important port for England. After that, he became one of the two Admirals of the English fleet. He fought in several sea battles.
In 1379, he was part of a raid on Brittany. On their way back, a big storm hit, and 20 ships and about 1000 men were lost at sea. Calveley was one of only 8 people who survived.
In 1383, he joined a military campaign called the Norwich Crusade. This campaign was preached by the Roman pope against his rival. However, it turned into a failure when France paid off many of the soldiers.
Later Years and Legacy
Calveley's last military action was in 1386. He joined John of Gaunt in a campaign to try and win the throne of Castile, but it was not successful.
In 1388, he was part of the English team that negotiated a peace agreement with France. In his later life, he also worked as a Justice of the Peace for Berkshire, helping to keep law and order.
Sir Hugh Calveley passed away on April 23, 1394. He did not have any children. His tomb statue is in St Boniface's Church, Bunbury in Cheshire. However, it's not certain if he was actually buried there. The statue was likely made by his friend, Sir Robert Knolles.
Titles and Achievements
Sir Hugh Calveley held many important titles and honors during his life:
- He became a Knight sometime between 1346 and 1361.
- He was the Commander of Becherel in 1354.
- He was made Count of Carrion starting in 1366.
- He served as the Seneschal of Calais (a type of governor) from 1375 to 1378.
- He was the Keeper of the Channel Islands from 1378 for the rest of his life.
- He was the Captain of Brest.
- He was the Admiral of the West (a high-ranking naval officer) from 1378 to 1380.
- He was a Justice of the Peace for Berkshire County.
His family's special symbol, called a coat of arms, showed three black calves on a silver background. This was a "canting" design, meaning it played on the sound of their name (Calveley sounds like "calf"). His crest, which was on top of his helmet, was a black calf's head with a silver crown. You can see this on the modern statue of him in Jersey.
