Battle of Mauron 1352 • Late Middle Ages
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14 August 1352 French defeat

Battle of Mauron

War of the Breton Succession (Hundred Years' War) · Mauron, Brittany (France)

Summary

On 14 August 1352, near Mauron in Brittany, Marshal Guy II de Nesle's Franco-Breton army was defeated by Gautier de Bentley's Anglo-Bretons positioned on a dominant hill; the marshal was killed and the Montfortist victory suspended major offensives by Charles de Blois's party for eleven years.

Historical context

This battle takes place within the War of the Breton Succession between Charles de Blois (supported by France) and John de Montfort (supported by England). Royal French forces attempt to support the Blois faction but encounter a well-prepared coalition.

Tactics

Bentley deployed defensively on a hill, sun at his back, with 800 to 1,000 archers on the wings and knights in the center. The Franco-Bretons attacked on foot up the slope, suffered a hail of arrows, then close combat where the French wing was decimated before general rout.

Consequences

Defeat cost the life of Guy II de Nesle and many Breton and French nobles, durably weakening the Blois faction. According to Arthur de la Borderie, about 800 men were killed on the Franco-Breton side and 600 on the Anglo-Breton side; the King of France did not launch another major offensive in Brittany for eleven years.

Location

Place : Mauron, Brittany (France)
Coordinates : 48.0667°N, 2.2333°W

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