Naudon de Bageran facts for kids
Naudon de Bageran was a skilled mercenary captain during a long conflict called the Hundred Years' War. A mercenary is a soldier who fights for money, not for a specific country or cause. The Hundred Years' War was a series of battles between England and France that lasted for over a century.
Contents
The End of War and New Troubles
When the fighting slowed down in the Hundred Years' War, Naudon de Bageran and his soldiers suddenly had no jobs. This was a big problem for many fighters. They became part of a group known as the "Tard-Venus" (which means "Latecomers" in French). These groups roamed the French countryside, causing trouble.
What Were the Tard-Venus?
The Tard-Venus were like large gangs of unemployed soldiers. They would raid towns and villages, taking valuable things and sometimes even people for ransom. Ransom is money paid to free a captured person. Their actions caused a lot of fear and damage across France.
A Crusade Against Bandits
Their actions were so bad that even the Pope, Innocent VI, who lived in the city of Avignon, spoke out against them. He called for a special "crusade" against these robbers. A crusade was usually a religious war, but in this case, it meant a strong effort to stop the bandits.
Naudon's Raids and Hostages
In the spring of 1362, Naudon de Bageran's group joined up with about 2,000 other Tard-Venus. They attacked areas like Macon, Lyon, and Forez. They took people hostage in Macon County, hoping to get money for their release. These events are written about in the famous book, Chronicles of Froissart, which tells many stories from that time.
Marching on Avignon
Later that year, Naudon de Bageran decided to break away from the main group. He joined forces with other leaders like Francois Hennequin, Espiote, John Creswey, Robert Briquet, and Camus Bour. Their plan was daring: they marched towards Avignon, a very rich city where the Pope and important church leaders called cardinals lived.
A Risky Plan for Ransom
Their goal was to capture or threaten the Pope and cardinals to get a huge ransom. Avignon was wealthy and not well-protected, making it an attractive target for the bandits.
The Battle of Montpensier
However, their plan did not work out. On June 3, 1362, Naudon de Bageran's army met a strong force of 400 Spaniard and Castilian soldiers. These soldiers were led by Henry of Trastamara, who was the King of Castile and León.
A Crushing Defeat
The two armies clashed near a place called Montpensier. Naudon de Bageran's group was completely defeated. Their army was "cut to pieces," meaning they suffered a huge loss of soldiers. This battle marked the end of Naudon de Bageran's time as a powerful bandit leader.
