Naudon de Bageran facts for kids
Naudon de Bageran was a soldier for hire, called a mercenary, who lived in the 1300s during the Hundred Years War between England and France. When parts of the war ended, he and his soldiers were left without a job.
Instead of going home, they formed a group of bandits known as the Tard-Venus. This group traveled across the French countryside, causing trouble in towns and cities.
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A Soldier's Life Turns to Banditry
During the Hundred Years War, many soldiers like Naudon de Bageran were mercenaries. This means they were paid to fight for a king or a lord. But when a truce was called, these soldiers were suddenly unemployed.
Naudon de Bageran became a captain of one of the most famous groups of these former soldiers, the Tard-Venus. The name means "late-comers" in French. They were a serious problem in France, and their story was even written down in the famous Chronicles of Froissart.
The Tard-Venus Gang
In the spring of 1362, Naudon de Bageran and his group joined with other bandits. Together, they formed an army of about 2,000 men. They moved through the French regions of Macon, Lyon, and Forez, attacking towns and taking valuable items.
Their actions became so serious that Pope Innocent VI, who lived in the city of Avignon, called for a "crusade against the robbers" to stop them.
The Plan to Ransom the Pope
Later that year, Naudon de Bageran and a few other bandit leaders, including Espiote and Robert Briquet, decided on a bold plan. They separated from the main group of bandits and marched toward the wealthy city of Avignon.
At the time, Avignon was where the Pope and his top officials, the cardinals, lived. The city was rich but not well-defended. Naudon's plan was to threaten the city and demand a large sum of money, known as a ransom, from the Pope himself.
A Final Battle
The plan did not succeed. On June 3, 1362, before they could reach Avignon, Naudon de Bageran's army was met by a force of 400 soldiers from Spain. These soldiers were led by Henry of Trastamara, who would later become a king.
In a battle near a place called Montpensier, Naudon de Bageran's army was completely defeated. This battle put an end to his plan to ransom the Pope and marked the end of his time as a powerful bandit leader.
