Siege of Saint-Jean-d'Angély (1351) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Siege of Saint-Jean-d'Angély
Part of the Hundred Years' War
King John II of France enters Saint-Jean-d'Angély
Date February-August 1351 Location Saint-Jean-d'Angély, France 45°56′48″N 0°31′46″W / 45.9466°N 0.5294°W / 45.9466; -0.5294 Result French victory
Belligerents
Kingdom of England	Kingdom of France
Commanders and leaders
Raymond-Guilhem de Caupenne	Guy II de Nesle Édouard I de Beaujeu

The Siege of Saint-Jean-d'Angély was an important event during the Hundred Years' War. It happened from February to August in 1351. During this time, a French army surrounded and attacked the town of Saint-Jean-d'Angély in France. An English army was defending the town.

Even though an English rescue team won a battle nearby, they could not reach the town. Later, the King of France, John II of France, arrived at the siege. After he appeared, the English soldiers inside the town gave up. This led to a French victory.

What Was the Siege of Saint-Jean-d'Angély?

A siege is when an army surrounds a town or castle. They try to cut off supplies and force the people inside to surrender. This siege was part of the long conflict between England and France called the Hundred Years' War.

The French Army Arrives

King John II of France ordered his army to surround Saint-Jean-d'Angély. This town was in an area of France called Saintonge. The French army was made up of knights and foot soldiers. These soldiers came from different parts of France, like Poitou, Saintonge, Touraine, and Anjou.

The leaders of this French army were Guy II de Nesle and Édouard I de Beaujeu. Guy II de Nesle was a very important military leader called a Marshal of France.

How the French Tried to Win

The French army did not have very big machines to break down the town's walls. These machines are called siege engines. Because of this, they decided to try a different plan. They completely surrounded Saint-Jean-d'Angély.

Their goal was to stop all trade and food from getting into the town. They hoped that the English soldiers inside would run out of food and supplies. This would force them to surrender without a big fight.

The English Try to Help

While the town was surrounded, an English rescue force tried to reach Saint-Jean-d'Angély. This force was led by John de Cheverston and Arnaud-Amanieu. John de Cheverston was a high-ranking English official in Gascony.

A group of French soldiers from the siege army met the English rescue force. A battle happened, and the English won. However, even after their victory, Cheverston and his men could not get through to the town. They could not break the French siege.

The King's Arrival and Surrender

During the siege, one of the French commanders, Guy II de Nesle, was captured. After this, King John II of France decided to go to Saint-Jean-d'Angély himself.

When the King of France arrived in August 1351, his presence changed everything. The people living in Saint-Jean-d'Angély, along with the English soldiers, decided to open the town gates. They surrendered to the French king. This ended the siege with a French victory.