Jean Bureau facts for kids
Jean Bureau (born around 1390 – died 1463) was a skilled French artillery commander. He played a big part in the later years of the Hundred Years' War. Jean and his brother, Gaspard, are famous for making French cannons the best in the world.
As the Master Gunner for King Charles VII, Jean Bureau became known as a very effective artillery officer. His powerful bombardments helped capture important towns like Rouen, Harfleur, and Honfleur during the Normandy campaign (1449–1450). He also helped the French win the Battle of Formigny. In 1453, Bureau led the French army to victory at the very important Battle of Castillon.
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Who was Jean Bureau?
Jean Bureau was born in Semoine, a place in Champagne, France. He was the second son of Simon Bureau, who was a merchant. In 1420, Jean moved to Paris to work as a lawyer. He worked as a legal official in Paris when the city was controlled by the Duke of Bedford.
People described Bureau as a "perfectionist" with a very organized and mathematical mind. He was also seen as a clever inventor who knew how to get the most out of the early cannons. He probably learned about artillery because he saw a chance to make money from it.
How Artillery Improved
The Bureau brothers benefited from new ideas in making gunpowder around the late 1420s. This new powder was much stronger. It could fire cannonballs much faster and didn't need to be mixed on the battlefield. At the same time, new ways of casting metal helped create stronger cannon barrels. These new barrels were less likely to explode during use.
In 1434, Jean and Gaspard Bureau offered their skills to King Charles VII. They quickly showed everyone they were experts in artillery. Jean became the "governor of the French archers." Gaspard was made "master of ordnance," which meant he was in charge of military supplies. By 1439, Jean was the main Master Gunner for all French artillery. Jean also held other important jobs, like "Receiver of Paris" in 1436 and "Treasurer of France" in 1443. He even became the mayor of La Rochelle in 1448.
Early Victories with Cannons
The Bureau brothers' cannons had a big impact right away. They helped the French win sieges at Montereau (1437), Meaux (1439), Saint-Germain-en-Laye (1440), and Pontoise (1441). The Bureaus also helped the king put down a rebellion called the Praguerie in 1440.
Jean Bureau's Later Campaigns
The Treaty of Tours was a peace agreement between England and France. When it ended in 1449, King Charles VII started a campaign to take back Normandy in northern France. The powerful bombardments from the Bureaus' artillery helped capture many towns. These included Rouen (October 1449), Harfleur (December 1449), Honfleur (January 1450), and Fresnoy (January 1450).
To keep firing cannons at English-held Cherbourg, the Bureaus used a clever trick. They placed their guns on the town's side facing the sea. They put them below the high water mark. This meant the cannons were underwater during high tide. But when the tide went out, they would return and continue firing!
The Battle of Formigny
On April 15, 1450, a French army led by the Duke of Bourbon fought an English force at the Battle of Formigny. The English had come to help their struggling region. At first, the French tried to attack the English, but English longbowmen pushed them back.
Then, the Bureaus moved two cannons forward. These were likely two breechloading culverins, which were a type of cannon. They fired heavily at the English position. The cannon fire was very effective, especially because the cannons could shoot farther than the English longbows. However, the French didn't protect their cannons well enough. The English were able to charge and capture them. Later that day, French cavalry arrived and helped win a decisive victory for France. This win helped the French capture the remaining English strongholds in Normandy.
Taking Back Gascony
In 1451, the Bureaus joined the French invasion of Gascony, a region in southwestern France. They were key in taking back several cities, including Bordeaux, which surrendered in June. Jean Bureau was even made Mayor of Bordeaux in August 1451.
However, the local people in Gascony didn't like the new French leaders. They invited the English to come back. In October 1452, the Earl of Shrewsbury, Sir John Talbot, took Bordeaux back with 3,000 English soldiers. Within a few months, he had regained control of most of Gascony.
The Battle of Castillon
The French started their campaign to retake Gascony again in the spring of 1453. Jean Bureau, now leading an army of about 7,000 soldiers, began to besiege the town of Castillon, which was east of Bordeaux. He set up 300 cannons in strong, fortified positions around the town.
Remembering how he lost his cannons at Formigny, Bureau was careful this time. He placed a group of archers in the woods next to his position. Their job was to protect the cannons from being captured.
Talbot arrived with his relief force on July 17. He quickly defeated a small group of French archers who were ahead of the main army. Talbot mistakenly thought the French were retreating. He then attacked the main French camp. His army was completely destroyed by Bureau's cannon fire. Talbot's horse was hit by a cannonball, and he was killed by a French archer soon after.
The Siege of Bordeaux
After the victory at Castillon, Bureau moved on to Bordeaux. He surrounded the city with 250 artillery pieces. After a 10-week siege, Bordeaux sent a group of people to King Charles VII to ask for surrender terms. Bureau was very confident in his cannons. He told the king, "I promise you on my life that in a few days I shall have demolished the town." Hearing this, the delegation agreed to accept Charles's tough terms. Control of Bordeaux was given to the French on October 19, 1453.
Later Life and Legacy
After the war, Jean Bureau was given the noble title of Lord of Montglas. He was also made a knight in 1461. Both he and his brother continued to advise King Charles's son and new king, Louis XI. This was special because Louis XI usually fired most of his father's staff. Jean Bureau died in 1463.
See also
In Spanish: Jean Bureau para niños
