Walter Bentley (died 1359) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Walter Bentley
English Knight
Blason of Sir Walter Bentley
Born	circa 1310 Yorkshire, England
Died	December 1359 Hennebont, Brittany
Nationality	English
Spouse(s)	Jeanne de Belleville (Lioness of Brittany)
Father	Sir John Bentley

Sir Walter Bentley (who died in 1359) was a brave English knight. He played an important role during the Hundred Year's War, a long conflict between England and France.

Sir Walter Bentley's Life

Walter Bentley was the son of Sir John Bentley from Yorkshire, England. He was likely born around 1310 in a town called Beverley in Yorkshire.

Early Battles: Scottish Independence

Before the Hundred Years' War, Walter Bentley fought in the early parts of the Second War of Scottish Independence. This was a conflict where England tried to control Scotland.

Fighting in the Hundred Years' War

In 1339, Bentley served King Edward III of England in France. He was part of the King's army.

Later, in 1342, he joined the group of William de Bohun, Earl of Northampton in Brittany, France. Bentley then formed his own group of soldiers. He took control of Tristan Island and several castles in western Brittany.

Bentley owned many lands in England and also in France and Brittany. He tried to control his soldiers to stop them from taking too much from the countryside. He would take a share of what his men earned while serving the King.

Leading in Brittany and a Feud

Walter Bentley had a disagreement with Raoul de Caours, another English leader in France. They argued over who owned castles that belonged to Bentley's wife, Jeanne de Clisson. King Edward III stepped in to stop them from fighting each other.

In October 1349, the King decided that the castles should go back to Bentley. Because of this, Raoul de Caours switched sides and joined the French. Caours is also thought to have set up an attack on another English leader, Sir Thomas Dagworth, in 1350.

After this, Walter Bentley was chosen to be the King's Lieutenant (a high-ranking leader) of Brittany. He took over this important role on September 8, 1350, after Thomas Dagworth.

In June 1351, a French army surrounded the town of Ploërmel. Bentley was able to help the town and stop the attack. He then led his soldiers into other French areas like Maine and along the Loire Valley.

While Bentley was in England, a French army led by Guy II de Nesle attacked Brittany. Walter quickly returned and gathered an English-Breton army. He defeated Guy II in the battle of Mauron. Many French nobles were captured in this battle. Bentley was also badly hurt. He stopped being the King's Lieutenant in early 1353.

Treaty and Imprisonment

Later in 1353, King Edward III told Bentley to give up his wife's castles. This was part of a peace agreement with Charles, Duke of Brittany. Bentley did not want to give up the castles. He traveled to England to talk to King Edward III about it.

While his case was being heard, Walter was put in prison in the Tower of London. Eventually, he was set free and allowed to return to France. In January 1357, he and his wife were given the title to the area of La Roche-Moisan.

Sir Walter Bentley's Death

Sir Walter Bentley died in December 1359 in Hennebont, Brittany. His wife, Jeanne, passed away just a few weeks later.

Sir Walter Bentley's Marriage

Walter Bentley married Jeanne. She was a widow who had been married three times before. Her full name was Jeanne, daughter of Maurice IV Montaigu of Belleville and Palluau and Létice de Parthenay. Walter and Jeanne did not have any children together.