Siege of Breteuil facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Siege of Breteuil
Part of the Edwardian Phase of the Hundred Years' War
A Medieval depiction of a fortification being assaulted
Date April – c.20 August 1356 Location Breteuil, Normandy 48°50′13″N 0°54′53″E / 48.8369°N 0.9147°E / 48.8369; 0.9147 Result French victory
Belligerents
Navarrese garrison	Kingdom of France
Commanders and leaders
	John II of France
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown

The siege of Breteuil was a military event during the Hundred Years' War. French forces surrounded the town of Breteuil in Normandy. The town was held by supporters of Charles II, King of Navarre. The siege lasted from April to August 1356.

It was briefly stopped in July when a small English army arrived. This army was led by Henry, Earl of Lancaster. He brought supplies to the town. The French king, John II, tried to fight Lancaster's army. But Lancaster cleverly avoided a battle. King John then continued the siege of Breteuil.

What Led to the Siege

Since 1066, English kings had owned lands in France. This made them like tenants to the French kings. In 1337, King Philip VI of France decided to take back these lands. He said the English king, Edward III of England, had not followed his duties. This started the Hundred Years' War, a very long conflict.

In 1346, Edward III led his army across northern France. They won the Battle of Crécy and captured the port of Calais. After more fighting, both sides were tired and low on money. They agreed to a temporary stop in fighting called the Truce of Calais. This truce lasted for several years.

A peace treaty was signed in 1354, but the new French king, John II, did not approve it. So, the war was set to start again in 1355. Both England and France prepared for more battles.

Trouble in France

In September 1355, Edward of Woodstock, also known as the Black Prince, arrived in Bordeaux. He was the son of the English King Edward III. He led an army of English and Gascon soldiers. They marched through French lands, causing a lot of damage. This march was called the Black Prince's chevauchée. They didn't capture much land, but they destroyed many towns. This hurt France's economy greatly.

Money and excitement for the war were running low in France. Many parts of northern France were openly against King John. Some important nobles in Normandy refused to pay taxes. In April 1356, King John arrested several of these nobles. Four of them were quickly put to death. One arrested noble was Charles II, King of Navarre. He owned a lot of land in Normandy and was known for changing sides.

The Norman nobles who were not arrested asked for help. They sent for soldiers from Navarre and asked England for support.

The First Siege of Breteuil

Normandy, with Breteuil shown a little to the right of centre

In April 1356, French forces took control of most of Normandy. They began to surround towns that resisted them. The French focused on strongholds held by supporters of Navarre in central Normandy. These included Pont-Audemer, Breteuil, Tillières-sur-Avre, and Évreux.

King John was gathering his main army at Chartres. He also called for all able-bodied men to join the army. This call was repeated several times because not many people responded at first.

Évreux was an important town for Navarre's lands. King John's son, Charles, led the siege there. After some attacks, the French broke through the walls. The defenders had to retreat to the castle, and the town caught fire. The castle defenders eventually surrendered. They were allowed to leave safely for Breteuil. Pont-Audemer also fell to the French, but its castle held out.

Breteuil was a strong, walled town with a powerful castle. It was an important place, but not a key military target. A large French force surrounded it, but they didn't start any major attacks at first.

English Help Arrives

Philip of Navarre, Charles of Navarre's brother, asked England for military help. King Edward III decided to send an army to Normandy. This army was led by Henry, Earl of Lancaster. On June 18, 1356, Lancaster arrived with 500 knights and 800 longbowmen. They were joined by 200 Norman soldiers and another 800 English soldiers.

On June 24, the English army marched through western Normandy. They burned and took goods from towns along the way. Lancaster's army reached Pont-Audemer on June 30. The French besiegers fled when they heard the English were coming. The English spent two days supplying the town.

Lancaster then marched south to Breteuil, arriving on July 5. The French besiegers left quickly. The English resupplied Breteuil with enough food for a year.

The English continued their march to Verneuil. They captured and looted it. The castle there surrendered on July 6. On the same day, news arrived that a much larger French army was approaching. This French army was led by King John himself. It was about ten times bigger than the English force.

Henry of Lancaster

King John sent messengers to Lancaster, inviting him to a formal battle. Lancaster gave a vague answer. King John thought Lancaster had agreed to fight. But the English army secretly left their camp during the night. They marched far away to Argentan. The French couldn't catch them. So, the French army returned to Breteuil and started the siege again.

The Second Siege

Contemporary image of John II

King John took personal command of this second siege, which began on July 12. The French army looked very impressive. But they made little progress. Breteuil had a strong defense and enough food for a year, thanks to Lancaster. The French tried to dig tunnels under the walls, but it didn't work.

Meanwhile, the Black Prince had gathered another army in the south. On August 4, his 6,000 soldiers marched north. They caused a lot of damage as they went. The French knew about this possible attack.

At some point in August, the French used a very large siege tower against Breteuil's walls. They launched a big attack. But the defenders set the tower on fire. They fought off the attack, causing many losses for the French. This second siege was very difficult and costly for the French.

King John felt he could not give up the siege. It had become a matter of his honor as a warrior-king. He refused to march south to face the Black Prince. He said the Breteuil garrison was a bigger threat. But eventually, he had to give in to pressure. He needed to stop the destruction in southern France.

Around August 20, King John offered the Breteuil garrison a deal. They would get safe passage to another area. They would also receive a large payment and could take their valuables. In return, they had to leave the town. The garrison agreed. The French army then quickly marched south. All available forces were needed to fight the Black Prince.

After the Siege

After the siege, Philip of Navarre and another noble, Godfrey d'Harcourt, recognized Edward III as the true King of France. They promised loyalty to him for their lands in Normandy. Lancaster then moved his army to Brittany.

King John gathered his royal army at Chartres. He chased the Black Prince's army. He managed to cut off their escape. This forced them to fight at the Battle of Poitiers on September 19. The French army was badly defeated by the Black Prince's smaller force. King John was captured, along with many nobles. Charles of Navarre, who was still in prison during the siege, was freed in November 1357. This led to more problems for the French government.