Raoul de Gaucourt facts for kids

Raoul de Gaucourt (born around 1370, died 1461) was a brave French soldier and an important leader. He was also known as the Sire de Gaucourt. He fought in major battles like the Battle of Nicopolis in 1396 and the Siege of Harfleur in 1415. He even spent ten years as a prisoner in England. A historian named Juliet Barker once called him "a medieval chivalric hero whom the modern world has forgotten." This means he was a very brave and honorable knight, but not many people remember him today.

Early Life and Family

Raoul de Gaucourt was born around 1370. He came from a noble family in a region of France called Picardy. His family was very loyal to the House of Armagnac, which was a powerful group of nobles in France. Raoul also had close friends who were important leaders, like Charles, Duke of Orléans, Charles I d'Albret, and Marshal Boucicaut.

A Life as a Soldier

Early Battles and Orders

Raoul de Gaucourt started his military career early. In 1396, when he was about 26 years old, he fought in the Battle of Nicopolis. During this battle, he showed great bravery and was made a knight right there on the battlefield. He was captured during the fight but was later set free after a payment was made, which was called a ransom.

In 1400, Raoul helped start a special group of knights called the "Order of the White Lady on a Green Shield." This order was created by his friend, Marshal Boucicaut.

A few years later, in 1409, Raoul led a French army in a city called Genoa. He even helped capture the city of Milan alongside Boucicaut.

During a time of civil war in France, called the Armagnac–Burgundian Civil War, Raoul fought for his friend Charles, Duke of Orléans. In 1411, he captured an important bridge at St Cloud.

By 1412, he was serving as a "Chamberlain" for Charles, Duke of Orléans. This meant he was a high-ranking official in the Duke's household. He also became the captain of several castles that belonged to the Armagnac group.

In 1415, Raoul helped create another group of knights called the "Order of the Prisoner's Shackle."

Defending Harfleur

In September 1415, Raoul de Gaucourt was chosen for a very important job. He was asked to help defend the town of Harfleur from the English army, led by King Henry V. Historian Juliet Barker said that the French leaders needed "an experienced and trustworthy knight to take charge of the defences."

Raoul, along with another knight named Jean d'Estouteville, bravely refused to give up the town easily. When King Henry's soldiers surrounded Harfleur, Raoul and his men fought back with incredible courage. Even the English soldiers admired their determination. Raoul also made sure that the town's defenses were repaired during the siege.

On September 17, 1415, Raoul and the town's leaders met with King Henry. Raoul still refused to surrender. However, the very next day, the town council secretly offered to surrender on September 22 if no help arrived by then. Raoul didn't know about this secret offer until he met with King Henry again. Even so, he and the other military commanders agreed to surrender.

Raoul and his troops had held out for 18 days, much longer than King Henry had expected. King Henry had thought it would only take 8 days! On September 22, Raoul de Gaucourt formally handed over the keys to the town to King Henry.

After the surrender, Raoul and 65 other people were taken prisoner. Raoul was later released for a short time to carry a message from King Henry to the French prince, the Dauphin. King Henry challenged the Dauphin to a one-on-one fight to end the war. After delivering the message, Raoul became very ill with a sickness called dysentery.

Later Life and Final Years

After the famous Battle of Agincourt, Raoul de Gaucourt gave himself up to King Henry in Calais. He then spent ten years as a prisoner in England. He was allowed to leave prison for short periods in 1416 and 1417. In January 1417, he even carried a secret message from King Henry to the French king.

After he was finally released from prison, Raoul became a very important figure in helping France take back lands that the English had captured. He "fought in every campaign against the English." This included fighting alongside the famous Joan of Arc, and he was with her during the Siege of Orléans.

Raoul de Gaucourt lived a long and adventurous life. He passed away in 1461, when he was in his late 80s or early 90s.

His Legacy

Historian Juliet Barker called Raoul de Gaucourt "a medieval chivalric hero whom the modern world has forgotten." She also said he was "one of the chief architects of the final expulsion of the English from France." This means he played a huge role in finally getting the English out of France.