The Battle of Auray (September 29, 1364):…

September 1364 CE

The Battle of Auray (September 29, 1364): The Decisive End to the Breton War of Succession

In 1364, John IV de Montfort, supported by English forces under John Chandos, launched a siege of Auray, setting the stage for the final battle of the Breton War of Succession (1341–1364). The battle, fought on September 29, ended in a decisive Montfortist victory, resulting in the death of Charles de Blois and the capture of Bertrand du Guesclin, effectively securing the Duchy of Brittany for the Montfort family.

John IV’s Strategy and the Battle at Auray

Facing numerical inferiority, John IV attempted to launch a surprise attack on the Breton-French camp, hoping to disrupt their formations.
The Breton-English army, led by John Chandos, adopted a tactical plan proposed by Olivier de Clisson:
- They waited for the Breton-French forces to climb a slope leading to Auray, allowing them to hold the high ground.
- This strategy divided Charles de Blois’ forces, making them vulnerable to separate engagements.

The Death of Charles de Blois and the Capture of Du Guesclin

Charles de Blois was surrounded in the melee, cut off from the bulk of his forces, and killed in combat, ending his claim to the Duchy of Brittany.
Bertrand du Guesclin, the French commander, was captured and later ransomed in 1365 for 100,000 francs, ensuring his continued role in French military campaigns.

The Role of Olivier de Clisson and His Injury

Olivier de Clisson played a crucial role in the Montfortist victory, successfully implementing the defensive strategy that led to Charles de Blois’ downfall.
However, during the battle, he was wounded and lost the use of one eye, earning him the nickname "The One-Eyed Man of Auray."

Background: Clisson’s Earlier Role in the War

Olivier de Clisson had been a commander of Montfortist forces, participating in failed attempts to take Nantes but successfully holding Bécherel.
By 1364, after the accession of Charles V of France, John IV took advantage of the kingdom’s political instability, as King John II remained a prisoner in England, leading to weakened French intervention in Brittany.

Aftermath: The Treaty of Guérande and the End of the War

The Breton War of Succession effectively ended with the victory at Auray.
The war’s formal resolution came with the Treaty of Guérande (April 12, 1365), which:
- Recognized John IV de Montfort as Duke of Brittany.
- Allowed Joan of Penthièvre (Charles de Blois’ widow) to retain her family’s noble status and the Viscountcy of Limoges.
Brittany remained nominally a vassal of the French king, but John IV ruled with substantial autonomy.

Legacy of the Battle of Auray

The battle solidified English influence in Brittany, though John IV later balanced relations between England and France.
Bertrand du Guesclin’s capture was a temporary setback for the French, though he was soon ransomed and returned to command against England.
Olivier de Clisson’s role in the battle enhanced his reputation as a military leader, and he would later become Constable of France in 1380.

The Battle of Auray (1364) was the defining moment that ended the Breton War of Succession, ensuring that Brittany remained under Montfortist rule, while also shaping the ongoing power struggle between England and France.