Bernard, Count of Armagnac and the Rise of the Armagnac Faction (1407–1418)

Bernard VII, Count of Armagnac (1360–1418), a Gascon magnate, first gained influence at the French courtthrough his family’s ties to the House of Visconti in Milan. His sister, Béatrice d'Armagnac, married Carlo Visconti, while Louis, Duke of Orléans, married Valentina Visconti, creating a strong political alliance between the Armagnacs and the Orléanists.

After Louis of Orléans was assassinated in 1407 on the orders of John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy, Bernard became the leader of the anti-Burgundian faction, which soon became known as the Armagnacs.

I. The Assassination of Louis of Orléans and the Formation of the Armagnac Party

• In 1407, John the Fearless had Louis of Orléans murdered, triggering open conflict between Burgundians and Orléanists.
• As a key Orléanist supporter, Bernard assumed leadership of the faction, which began rallying opposition against the Burgundians.
• Over time, the anti-Burgundian coalition became known as the "Armagnacs," named after Bernard’s dominant role in leading the movement.

II. The Armagnacs vs. the Burgundians: Civil War in France

• The rivalry escalated into a full-scale civil war (1407–1435) between:
  • The Armagnacs, led by Bernard VII and later by Charles d'Orléans and the Dauphin (future Charles VII).
  • The Burgundians, led by John the Fearless and later Philip the Good, supported by Parisian merchants and later allied with the English.
• In 1410, Bernard married his daughter Bonne d'Armagnac to Charles, Duke of Orléans, further strengthening his ties to the Orléanist cause.

III. Bernard’s Leadership and Influence in France

• By 1413, Bernard had secured control of the French government as Constable of France, effectively ruling in the name of the Dauphin (future Charles VII).
• His rule was marked by brutal repression of Burgundian supporters, particularly after the Cabochien Revolt in Paris (1413).
• His leadership ended tragically in 1418, when the Burgundians stormed Paris, massacred Armagnac supporters, and executed Bernard.

IV. Long-Term Impact and Legacy

• Bernard’s leadership cemented the lasting division between the Armagnacs and Burgundians, a rift that destabilized France for decades.
• His violent feud with the Burgundians allowed England to exploit France’s internal chaos, culminating in the Treaty of Troyes (1420), which nearly disinherited the Valois dynasty.
• Even after Bernard’s death, the Armagnac faction remained a powerful force, ultimately leading the resistance against English rule under Charles VII and Joan of Arc.

The rise of Bernard, Count of Armagnac, as leader of the anti-Burgundian faction (1407–1418) was a defining moment in French history, as his conflict with Burgundy fueled civil war and weakened France during the Hundred Years' War.

The Formation of the Armagnac League and the Renewed Civil War (1410)

By 1410, Charles, Duke of Orléans, still seeking to avenge the assassination of his father, Louis of Orléans (murdered in 1407 on the orders of John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy), had begun actively opposing Burgundian power. Although the Peace of Chartres (1409) had briefly halted hostilities, tensions quickly reignited following Charles’ marriage to Bonne d’Armagnac on April 15, 1410, at Gien.

The marriage solidified a powerful anti-Burgundian alliance, formally uniting Charles with his father-in-law, Bernard VII, Count of Armagnac, who became the leader of the anti-Burgundian faction, now known as the Armagnac party.

I. The Formation of the Armagnac League (April 1410)

• At the wedding of Charles of Orléans and Bonne d’Armagnac, prominent noblemen gathered to form a league against John the Fearless and his Burgundian allies.
• This coalition provided the Orléanist faction with a new leader, as Bernard VII of Armagnac assumed the role of protector of Charles of Orléans and his mother, Valentina Visconti.
• With a new figurehead and a unified cause, the faction rebranded itself as the "Armagnac party."

II. Key Members of the Armagnac Alliance

• Charles, Duke of Orléans – The son of the murdered Louis, seeking revenge against Burgundy.
• Bernard VII, Count of Armagnac – The father-in-law of Charles, assuming leadership of the faction.
• John, Duke of Berry – The uncle of both Charles VI and Charles of Orléans, serving as a mediator turned ally of the Armagnacs.
• Louis II, Duke of Bourbon – A longtime opponent of Burgundian influence.
• John V, Duke of Brittany – Bringing Brittany’s considerable military strength to the faction.
• John I, Count of Alençon – Another key supporter opposing Burgundian control.
• Charles, Count of Clermont (later Charles I, Duke of Bourbon) – Son of the Duke of Bourbon, committed to resisting John the Fearless.

III. Renewed Civil War: The Armagnacs vs. the Burgundians

• With the formation of the Armagnac League, open war resumed between:
  • The Armagnacs, supporting Charles VI’s son, the Dauphin, and the Orléanist cause.
  • The Burgundians, led by John the Fearless, who controlled Paris and much of northern France.
• The conflict paralyzed France, leading to:
  • Further foreign intervention, particularly from England, which exploited French divisions during the Hundred Years' War.
  • A bloody civil war that would last until 1435, exacerbating the weakness of the French monarchy.

IV. Impact and Legacy

• The creation of the Armagnac party in 1410 ensured that the civil war would not be resolved peacefully.
• The feud between the Houses of Orléans and Burgundy would define French politics for the next 25 years, weakening the kingdom during a crucial period in the Hundred Years' War.
• The internal strife allowed England to advance, culminating in Henry V’s victory at Agincourt (1415) and the Treaty of Troyes (1420), which disinherited the Dauphin in favor of the English king.

The Armagnac-Burgundian conflict, which began in earnest with the marriage alliance of 1410, tore France apart, paving the way for English dominance and further political instability in the early 15th century.

Bernard VII of Armagnac and the Ravages of the Écorcheurs (1410)

By 1410, Bernard VII, Count of Armagnac, had emerged as the leader of the Armagnac faction, opposing John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy, in the escalating civil war between the Armagnacs and Burgundians. Known for his brutality and military prowess, Bernard commanded troops from the Ardour and Garonne regions, reinforcing his forces with mercenary war bands from the Midi—the infamous Écorcheurs (literally, "flayers of dead bodies").

These ruthless soldiers pillaged and devastated the countryside, stripping their victims of everything, often down to their very clothes, leaving entire villages in ruin. Under Bernard’s leadership, the Armagnac forces advanced toward Paris, reaching the Saint-Marcel suburb, threatening Burgundian-controlled territory.

I. The Écorcheurs: Terrorizing France

• The Écorcheurs were unruly mercenaries, notorious for their brutality and looting, often attacking both civilians and opposing forces.
• Originally formed from free companies during the Hundred Years’ War, these bands of plunderers became a defining feature of the Armagnac campaigns.
• Bernard VII unleashed them on the outskirts of Paris, where they sacked towns and villages, causing widespread terror.

II. The Armagnac Advance on Paris

• Bernard’s forces, led by the Écorcheurs, ravaged the countryside surrounding Paris, using scorched-earth tactics to weaken the Burgundian faction.
• His troops pushed into the Saint-Marcel suburb, a direct threat to the capital, then under Burgundian influence.
• The violence and destruction forced a temporary halt in the conflict, as both sides sought to regroup.

III. The Treaty of Bicêtre (November 2, 1410)

• As the civil war intensified, both factions recognized the need for a temporary ceasefire.
• On November 2, 1410, the Treaty of Bicêtre was signed, suspending hostilities—though the peace was short-lived.
• This truce failed to resolve the deeper power struggle, and fighting soon resumed, further destabilizing France during the ongoing Hundred Years' War.

IV. Legacy and Consequences

• Bernard VII’s use of the Écorcheurs set a precedent for unchecked mercenary violence, which would continue to plague France for decades.
• The Armagnac-Burgundian conflict only deepened, ultimately leading to the massacre of the Armagnacs in Paris (1418) and the Treaty of Troyes (1420), which disinherited the Dauphin in favor of Henry V of England.
• The Écorcheurs remained a scourge throughout France, persisting well into the 15th century, destabilizing both civilian life and royal authority.

The Armagnac assault on Paris in 1410, led by Bernard VII and his ruthless Écorcheurs, brought terror to the capital and forced a temporary truce at Bicêtre—but the civil war between Armagnacs and Burgundians was far from over.

he Renewal of the Armagnac-Burgundian War and the Battle of Saint-Cloud (1411)

By spring 1411, the Armagnac-Burgundian conflict had reignited, with both factions resuming open warfare for control of France and its monarchy, still paralyzed by the mental instability of King Charles VI. The Duke of Burgundy, John the Fearless, launched a major military campaign in October 1411, leading a 60,000-strong army into Paris, where he engaged the Breton forces allied with the Armagnacs at La Chapelle.

Though initially repelled, John later outmaneuvered the Armagnac forces and on the night of November 8–9, 1411, left Paris via the Porte Saint-Jacques, marched through Saint-Cloud, and decisively crushed the feared Écorcheurs.

I. The Renewed Civil War (Spring–October 1411)

• After the failure of the Treaty of Bicêtre (1410), both sides mobilized for war once more.
• The Armagnacs, led by Bernard VII of Armagnac and Charles of Orléans, sought to strengthen their hold on the Dauphin Charles and the royal court.
• John the Fearless of Burgundy, determined to reclaim dominance, marched into Paris in October 1411 with a massive 60,000-man army, seeking to drive out the Armagnacs and their allies.

II. The Battle of La Chapelle (October–November 1411)

• The Breton allies of the Armagnacs, heavily fortified, retrenched at La Chapelle, a strategic position in northern Paris.
• John’s Burgundian forces launched an assault, but the Bretons held their position, forcing him to withdraw temporarily.

III. The Night Maneuver and Victory at Saint-Cloud (November 8–9, 1411)

• On the night of November 8–9, John the Fearless secretly withdrew via the Porte Saint-Jacques, marching his forces through Saint-Cloud.
• The maneuver allowed him to catch the Armagnac Écorcheurs off guard.
• In a decisive battle, the Burgundians crushed the mercenary bands, delivering a significant blow to the Armagnac forces.

IV. Consequences and Escalation of the War

• The Burgundian victory weakened the Armagnac faction, though the war was far from over.
• By 1413, the Burgundians had seized control of Paris, only to lose it again to the Armagnacs in 1414.
• The continued civil war left France vulnerable, paving the way for Henry V of England’s invasion in 1415, leading to the disastrous French defeat at Agincourt.

The Battle of Saint-Cloud (1411) was a turning point in the Armagnac-Burgundian Civil War, as John the Fearless regained military momentum, but the ongoing conflict would further fracture France, allowing England to take advantage of the chaos in the coming years.

The Siege of Bourges and the Peace of 1412: A Temporary Halt in the Armagnac-Burgundian War

In 1412, the Armagnac-Burgundian Civil War saw John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy, aggressively pursuing the princes of Orléans and their allies to Bourges, the stronghold of the Armagnac faction. At the same time, Charles of Orléans and Bernard VII of Armagnac were laying siege to the city. However, the arrival of the royal army in front of Bourges on June 11, 1412, forced both factions to seek a truce.

After weeks of negotiations, a peace treaty was signed at Bourges on July 15, 1412, which was later confirmed at Auxerre on August 22, 1412.

I. The Siege of Bourges and the Stalemate

• John the Fearless pursued the Orléanists and Armagnacs to Bourges, aiming to decisively crush their faction.
• Meanwhile, Charles of Orléans and Bernard VII of Armagnac were besieging the city, attempting to secure control of the Loire region.
• The arrival of the royal army on June 11, 1412, forced both sides to halt their offensives and negotiate a settlement.

II. The Peace of Bourges (July 15, 1412) and the Confirmation at Auxerre (August 22, 1412)

• The treaty of Bourges (July 15, 1412) attempted to defuse hostilities, securing:
  • A temporary ceasefire between the Armagnacs and Burgundians.
  • A royal intervention, reaffirming King Charles VI’s authority over both factions.
  • Agreements for land and power-sharing, though neither side fully adhered to the terms.
• The treaty was officially confirmed in Auxerre on August 22, 1412, reinforcing the temporary truce.

III. The Fragility of Peace and Renewed War

• Despite the treaty, tensions remained unresolved, as both factions continued to distrust each other.
• By 1413, the war resumed, with the Cabochien Revolt in Paris, where Burgundian-aligned factions attempted to seize full control of the capital.
• The continued civil war left France vulnerable, ultimately allowing Henry V of England to launch his invasion in 1415, leading to the Battle of Agincourt.

The Peace of Bourges (1412) and its confirmation at Auxerre temporarily halted hostilities in the Armagnac-Burgundian Civil War, but the deeper power struggle remained unsolved, leading to continued internal strife and English intervention in France.

English Diplomacy and the Armagnac-Burgundian Rivalry (1412)

As the Armagnac-Burgundian Civil War weakened France, England skillfully played both factions against each other, ensuring that neither side gained a decisive advantage. By offering support or buying neutrality when needed, the English strategically exploited French internal divisions to their advantage.

In 1412, the Armagnacs, fearing an Anglo-Burgundian alliance, concluded a treaty with Henry V of England, ceding Guyenne to him and recognizing his suzerainty over Poitou, Angoulême, and Périgord in exchange for his military backing.

Meanwhile, John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy, skillfully maintained favorable relations with the English, ensuring that no damaging wool embargo was placed on Flanders, which depended heavily on English raw wool for its cloth industry.

I. The Armagnac Treaty with England (1412)

• In 1412, the Armagnacs sought English support, fearing that John the Fearless might form an alliance with Henry V.
• To secure English neutrality or assistance, the Armagnacs made major territorial concessions:
  • Ceding Guyenne (Aquitaine) to England.
  • Recognizing English suzerainty over Poitou, Angoulême, and Périgord.
• This agreement reinforced English influence in southwestern France, weakening overall French sovereignty.

II. John the Fearless’ Strategy with England

• Despite the Anglo-Armagnac treaty, John the Fearless managed to maintain good relations with England, ensuring they did not fully commit to his rivals.
• His key diplomatic advantage was the economic interdependence between Flanders and England:
  • Flanders’ economy relied on English wool imports, which fed its thriving cloth industry.
  • An English wool embargo could devastate Flemish merchants, a risk John could not afford.
• By balancing diplomacy with England, John ensured that Burgundy remained an economic powerhouse, avoiding crippling trade sanctions while keeping his political options open.

III. Consequences and English Exploitation of French Divisions

• The Armagnac treaty of 1412 gave England a stronger foothold in southwestern France, encouraging Henry V to prepare for further intervention.
• John the Fearless’ economic diplomacy allowed him to secure neutrality or indirect support from England, preventing them from siding decisively with the Armagnacs.
• France, already fractured by civil war, became even more vulnerable, paving the way for Henry V’s invasion in 1415, leading to the decisive English victory at Agincourt.

The Armagnac-Burgundian conflict allowed England to manipulate French politics, ensuring continued division and weakening of France, setting the stage for further English conquests in the Hundred Years' War.

John the Fearless and the Cabochien Revolt (April 1413)

By 1413, John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy, had secured strong popular support in Paris following his assassination of Louis, Duke of Orléans (1407). Seeking to further consolidate his power, he aligned himself with a radical faction of Parisians known as the Cabochiens, a group of wealthy but non-noble artisans and merchantsled by the butcher Simon Caboche (Simon the Cutler).

With John’s encouragement, the Cabochiens launched a violent uprising in April 1413, targeting Armagnac noblemen and their supporters, seizing key points of the city, and spreading terror throughout Paris.

I. The Cabochien Movement and Its Origins

• The Cabochiens emerged from the rising middle class of artisans, butchers, and merchants, who, despite their wealth, were excluded from noble privileges.
• They resented the aristocracy’s dominance in governance, making them natural allies of John the Fearless, who posed as a champion of the people.
• By mobilizing the Cabochiens, John sought to undermine the power of the Armagnacs while cementing Burgundian influence in Paris.

II. The Cabochien Uprising (April 1413)

• Encouraged by John the Fearless, the Cabochiens took to the streets in April 1413, wearing distinctive white caps and launching a wave of violence against Armagnac nobles.
• Key events of the revolt:
  • April 27 – The Bastille is seized, further strengthening Burgundian control.
  • Assassination of Pierre des Essarts, the Provost of Paris, an Armagnac supporter.
  • Attack on the King’s Palace, where they penetrated the royal residence, demonstrating the weakness of the monarchy.
• The mob terrorized the city, systematically attacking Armagnac households, businesses, and allies.

III. Consequences and the Struggle for Power

• The revolt temporarily strengthened John’s position in Paris, as he positioned himself as the protector of the Cabochiens and their demands for reforms.
• However, the excesses of the uprising alienated much of the nobility, leading to a backlash against the Cabochiens and their Burgundian patrons.
• The revolt’s failure to secure long-term reforms led to its brutal suppression later that year, as the Armagnacs regained control of the government.

IV. Long-Term Impact and the Civil War

• The Cabochien Revolt deepened the divisions between the Armagnacs and the Burgundians, further escalating the civil war.
• Paris remained a battleground between the two factions, making the kingdom even more vulnerable to English intervention.
• The internal chaos contributed to Henry V’s invasion in 1415 and his decisive victory at the Battle of Agincourt, further weakening the French monarchy.

The Cabochien Revolt of 1413, orchestrated by John the Fearless, marked one of the most violent episodes in the Armagnac-Burgundian Civil War, as Paris became a city consumed by factional violence and political intrigue.