John Talbot, 1st Viscount Lisle facts for kids

John Talbot, 1st Baron Lisle and 1st Viscount Lisle (around 1426 – 17 July 1453) was an English nobleman and a soldier from the Middle Ages. He was the son of John Talbot, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, and his second wife Margaret Beauchamp.

Becoming a Lord and Viscount

John Talbot was already a knight when he received his first important title. On 26 July 1444, King Henry VI made him Lord and Baron Lisle of Kingston Lisle in Berkshire. He got this title because his mother was one of the people who could inherit the previous Barony of Lisle.

He was set to inherit a lot of land from his mother. This land was in Wales, near the Welsh Marches, and in Painswick, Gloucestershire. His mother had worked hard to make sure her son received his rights. This was especially important during a family disagreement with the Berkeley family. During this time, young John Talbot's home was even raided by Lord Berkeley's brothers.

After 1449, his mother was one of three people who could inherit from her father. Through her, John Talbot had a claim to Berkeley Castle. In 1451, he had already fought in a battle at St Barnets Green. After this, he was given an even higher title: Viscount Lisle.

To get what he believed was his from James Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley, John Talbot attacked Berkeley Castle in 1452. He captured Baron Berkeley and his sons.

Fighting in France

John Talbot was ordered to gather more soldiers for the English army in France. He found 2325 men in Dartmouth and Plymouth. They got on ships on 5 March 1453. Lords Moleyns and Camoys joined him. He led these troops into Guyenne, a region in France, to help his father.

They sailed to Bordeaux. Even with these new soldiers, the English army only had about 8,000 men. They were facing a French army of 10,000. The English were still waiting for more help when they marched out. They captured a small fort at St Laurent on 17 July 1453.

On that very day, they fought the last major battle of the Hundred Years' War. This was the Battle of Castillon. Both John Talbot and his father were killed during this battle. Some historians say that his father was wounded and had lost his horse. He begged John to leave the battle and save himself. But John refused, choosing to die rather than be dishonored. This brave moment was later remembered by William Shakespeare in his play Henry VI, Part I.

Family Life

John Talbot married Joan Cheddar around 1443. She was the daughter of Thomas Chedder. John and Joan had three children:

• Elizabeth Talbot (died 1487), who married Edward Grey, Baron Ferrers of Groby. Edward Grey later inherited the title of Baron Lisle through Elizabeth.
• Thomas Talbot, 2nd Viscount Lisle (around 1449–1470)
• Margaret Talbot (died 1475), who was the first wife of Sir George Vere.

Sources

• History of Berkeley, rotwang.co.uk. Accessed 31 December 2022.