Battle of Auray 1364 • Late Middle Ages
Discovering the battle
29 September 1364 French defeat

Battle of Auray

War of the Breton Succession · Auray, Brittany (France)

Summary

The battle pits partisans of Charles de Blois, supported by France, against those of John de Montfort, backed by England. Despite a solid engagement by Du Guesclin, French forces are defeated. Charles de Blois is killed, Du Guesclin taken prisoner.

Historical context

Final act of the Breton civil war begun in 1341. The outcome of this battle, occurring a few months after the French victory at Cocherel, seals English domination over Brittany through John IV de Montfort.

Tactics

English deployment in defensive terrain with archers on the flanks. French troops attack frontally but are repulsed, then encircled. John Chandos's tactical superiority proves decisive.

Consequences

Jean de Montfort's victory ended the War of the Breton Succession. Under the Treaty of Guérande (1365), the King of France recognized Jean IV of Brittany as Duke of Brittany, under English tutelage.

Location

Place : Auray, Brittany (France)
Coordinates : 47.666°N, 2.999°W

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