The Montfortist Collapse and Joanna of Flanders’…
July 1342 CE
The Montfortist Collapse and Joanna of Flanders’ Resistance (1342)
Following John of Montfort’s imprisonment in late 1341, his allies and holdings in Brittany quickly crumbled as his supporters deserted or were defeated by the French army. Over the winter of 1341–1342, Charles of Blois, with French military support, conquered all of eastern Brittany, and by the spring of 1342, he had taken most of western Brittany as well.
With John imprisoned, the Montfortist cause now fell upon his wife, Joanna of Flanders.
Joanna of Flanders: The "Fiery Joanna" Takes Command
- Recognizing that eastern Brittany was indefensible, Joanna retreated to the west, establishing her headquarters at Hennebont.
- However, the French offensive soon pushed her even further west, forcing her to fall back to Brest, where she and her remaining forces were besieged.
- Among her defenders were a handful of English adventurers, led by the bold and resourceful Sir Walter Manny.
The Battle of Brest (July 1342): English Reinforcements Arrive
- Joanna had been expecting English reinforcements, and in July 1342, the Earl of Northampton arrived with an English fleet to break the siege of Brest.
- The resulting naval battle off Brest was a decisive Montfortist victory, forcing the French to lift the siege.
- With English support, Joanna regained the initiative, marking yet another shift in the war’s momentum.
French Strategic Repositioning: Edward III's Looming Invasion
- Meanwhile, in Paris, King Philip VI feared that Edward III would launch a full-scale invasion of northern France once the truce expired.
- Expecting Edward to land at Calais, Philip withdrew the bulk of the French army from Brittany.
- This left Charles of Blois to continue his campaign on his own, without direct royal support.
Impact and Legacy
- The arrival of the English at Brest saved the Montfortist cause, preventing a total French victory in Brittany.
- Joanna of Flanders proved to be one of the most formidable female military leaders of the Middle Ages, refusing to capitulate even in the face of overwhelming odds.
- The withdrawal of French forces from Brittany reflected the larger strategic concerns of the Hundred Years' War, as France had to prepare for Edward III’s anticipated invasion.
The siege of Brest in 1342 and the English victory at sea ensured that Brittany remained contested, prolonging the Breton War of Succession, which would continue for another two decades.
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