Battles of the Late Middle Ages

Late Middle Ages 1328 – 1492

37 battles in this era

Characteristics of the era

Hundred Years' War

Epic of Joan of Arc

Crisis of feudalism

Emergence of the modern state

Key figures

JoA

Joan of Arc

Charles VII

Du Guesclin

Battles of the era

1285 Late Middle Ages Defeat

Naval Battle of Formigues

Formigues Islands, Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Catalonia · Aragon Crusade

On September 4, 1285, the Aragonese fleet of Roger de Lauria, admiral of Peter III of Aragon, inflicted a crushing defeat on the French fleet commanded by Jean de Grailly off the Formigues Islands, near the Catalan coast. The battle took place at night, exploiting the effect of surprise and the tactical superiority of the Aragonese sailors. The French fleet, made up of around 40 galleys, was surprised while cruising offshore to secure supplies for the French land army in Catalonia. Roger de Lauria, with around 30 galleys but seasoned crews, used encirclement and boarding tactics which caused panic in the French ranks. Several French ships were sunk or captured, and Jean de Grailly was taken prisoner. This naval defeat deprived the French army of its maritime supplies and directly contributed to the failure of the Aragon Crusade.

Jean de GraillyvsRoger de Lauria

1285 Late Middle Ages Defeat

Battle of Col de Panissars

Col de Panissars, Pyrenees, near Perthus · Aragon Crusade

On October 1, 1285, the French army retreating from Catalonia was wiped out in an ambush at the Col de Panissars, a strategic passage in the Pyrenees near Perthus. The army, reduced to around 12,000 able-bodied men (from the initial 50,000), ravaged by dysentery and hunger, attempted to return to France. The Catalan and Aragonese forces, commanded by Roger de Lauria and local lords, prepared an ambush in the narrow gorges of the pass. The surprise attack, launched from the heights, cut the French column into several sections. The rearguard was isolated and massacred, while the rest of the army, unable to maneuver in the defile, suffered massive losses. Philippe III, seriously ill and transported in a litter, narrowly escaped capture but died four days later in Perpignan. This defeat marks the catastrophic end of the Aragon Crusade.

Philip III the BoldvsRoger de Lauria

1298 Late Middle Ages Victory

Battle of Arques

Arques, county of Flanders (today Pas-de-Calais, France) · War of Flanders

On July 4, 1298, the French royal army commanded by Robert II of Artois won a decisive victory against rebellious Flemish militias near Arques, in the county of Flanders. The battle pitted around 2,000 French soldiers (heavy cavalry and royal militia) against more than 3,000 Flemish militia led by William of Juliers. The French, better organized and equipped, used their superiority in cavalry to surround and disperse the Flemish troops. The battle was brief but deadly for the Flemings, who suffered several hundred deaths compared to light losses on the French side. This victory allowed Philip IV the Fair to temporarily reassert his authority over Flanders, but Flemish resistance strengthened and culminated four years later with the French defeat at Courtrai.

Robert II of ArtoisvsWilliam of Juliers

1302 Late Middle Ages Defeat

Battle of Courtrai (or the Golden Spurs)

Kortrijk, county of Flanders (today Belgium) · War of Flanders

On July 11, 1302, the French chivalry suffered a humiliating and historic defeat against the Flemish militias at Courtrai, in a battle which marked a turning point in the art of medieval warfare. The French army, made up of around 8,000 men including 2,500 heavily armed knights, commanded by Robert II of Artois, faced around 9,000 Flemish militiamen led by William of Juliers and the communal chiefs Pieter de Coninck and Jan Breydel. The battle took place on marshy terrain crossed by the Lys and ditches, where the Flemings had prepared defensive positions. The French cavalry charges failed in the face of the defensive stakes and the waterlogged terrain. The knights, dismounted and bogged down, are massacred by the Flemish infantry. Robert II of Artois was killed, and the Flemings recovered nearly 700 golden spurs from the corpses of the knights, giving the battle its name 'Battle of the Golden Spurs'. This defeat marks the first major victory of urban infantry over feudal chivalry in Western Europe.

Robert II of ArtoisvsPieter de Coninck and Jan Breydel

1304 Late Middle Ages Victory

Naval Battle of Zierikzee

Zierikzee, county of Zeeland (present-day Netherlands) · War of Flanders

On August 10, 1304, the French fleet, reinforced by Genoese ships commanded by Rainier Grimaldi, won a decisive naval victory off the coast of Zierikzee (Zealand) against a numerically superior Flemish-Dutch fleet. The battle pitted around 30 to 40 French and Genoese ships against nearly 80 Flemish and Dutch ships commanded by Guy de Namur, son of the Count of Flanders. Despite numerical inferiority, the French and their Genoese allies exploited their tactical superiority and the experience of their crews. The skillful maneuvers of the Genoese ships, hardened by battles in the Mediterranean, divided and disorganized the opposing fleet. The battle, which took place at high tide in the shallow waters of the Scheldt estuary, saw violent collisions. Several Flemish ships were sunk or captured, and Guy de Namur was taken prisoner. This naval victory allowed Philip IV to reestablish French control over Zeeland and cut off maritime supplies to Flanders.

Rainier GrimaldivsGuy de Namur

1304 Late Middle Ages Victory

Battle of Mons-en-Pévèle

Mons-en-Pévèle, French Flanders (today North, France) · War of Flanders

On August 18, 1304, Philip IV the Fair won a difficult and costly victory against the Flemish militias on the plateau of Mons-en-Pévèle, in northern France. The battle pitted approximately 14,000 French soldiers (including 6,000 knights) against 15,000 Flemish militiamen commanded by Gui de Dampierre (Count of Flanders) and William of Juliers. The fight, which lasted all day, was marked by considerable confusion and twists and turns. The French cavalry charges initially failed against the Flemish defensive formations. At a critical moment, Philip IV was nearly captured when the Flemings broke through the French lines. But a well-coordinated counterattack at nightfall, led by the royal guard and the remaining knights, finally broke the Flemish resistance. The losses were heavy on both sides (around 1,500 French and 3,000 Flemish), but the victory allowed Philip IV to reestablish his authority over Flanders.

Philip IV the FairvsGuy de Dampierre

1328 Late Middle Ages Victory

Battle of Cassel

Cassel, county of Flanders (today Nord, France) · Revolt of Flemish towns against Count Louis de Nevers

On August 23, 1328, Philip VI of Valois, newly crowned king of France after the extinction of the direct Capetian dynasty, won an overwhelming and decisive victory against the rebellious Flemish militias led by Nicolaas Zannekin, a rich farmer who became a popular leader. The battle, which took place at the foot of Cassel Hill, saw Flemish insurgents launch a surprise nighttime attack on the sleeping French camp. Initially disorganized by this unexpected attack, the French troops managed to regroup under the energetic command of Philip VI. The counterattack of the French heavy cavalry, reinforced by the royal infantry, surrounded the communal militias and systematically massacred them. The Flemish losses were catastrophic: more than 9,000 dead, including Zannekin himself, compared to only 1,000 French losses. This bloody victory marks the brutal end of the revolt of the Flemish towns and allows Philip VI to assert his authority from the first months of his reign.

Philip VI of ValoisvsNicolaas Zannekin

1340 Late Middle Ages Defeat

Battle of the Lock

Off the coast of L'Écluse, mouth of the Zwin (present-day Belgium) · Hundred Years' War

On June 24, 1340, the Battle of Sluis (Sluys in Flemish) constituted one of the largest and bloodiest naval battles of the entire European Middle Ages. Edward III of England, claiming the throne of France, won an overwhelming and total victory against the French fleet commanded by Hugues Quiéret and Nicolas Béhuchet. The battle took place in the shallow waters of the Zwin estuary near L'Écluse, where the French had massed around 190 ships (including many armed merchant vessels) in tight defensive formation, the ships linked by chains to form an impassable wall. Facing them, Edward III aligned a motley but effective fleet of around 250 ships, made up of English, Genoese (commanded by Barbavera), and Hanseatic vessels. English tactical superiority, combined with the deadly efficiency of Welsh and English archers armed with longbows, proved decisive. The English archers, posted on the high castles in front of the ships, systematically decimated the French crews even before the collisions. The rigid formation of the French ships, although impressive, becomes a trap: it prevents any evasive maneuver and leaves the ships vulnerable to coordinated attacks. After several hours of intense combat, the French line was pierced in several places. The French ships, deprived of their crews decimated by arrows, were captured or sunk one after the other. French losses were catastrophic: around 16,000 to 18,000 sailors and soldiers killed or captured, while the English only suffered moderate losses. Almost the entire French fleet was destroyed or captured, depriving Philip VI of any offensive naval capability for many years.

Béhuchet and Hugues QuiéretvsEdward III of England

1340 Late Middle Ages Victory

Battle of Saint-Omer

Saint-Omer, French Flanders (today Pas-de-Calais, France) · Hundred Years' War

On July 26, 1340, a month after the disastrous naval defeat at Sluis, the French won an important land victory at Saint-Omer, somewhat restoring the French military image after the maritime disaster. The battle pitted the French army commanded by Eudes IV of Burgundy (around 15,000 men) against a numerically superior Flemish-English coalition force (around 20,000 men) led by Robert III of Artois, claimant to the county of Artois and ally of Edward III of England. Robert III of Artois, who had been banished from France by Philip VI and had taken refuge in England, tried to reconquer his stronghold by relying on the uprising of Flemish towns and English military support. He briefly besieged Saint-Omer, a strategic stronghold controlling the roads to northern France. However, instead of enduring a prolonged siege, the French defenders, reinforced by Burgundian and royal troops, launched an aggressive and coordinated sortie that completely surprised the besiegers. French heavy cavalry, supported by infantry, charged the poorly prepared and disorganized Flemish lines. The Flemish troops, mainly poorly disciplined communal militias poorly equipped for combat in the open countryside, quickly gave way under the shock of the French charge. The rout was total: thousands of Flemings were killed or captured, while the French suffered only light losses. Robert III of Artois himself was mortally wounded in the battle and died shortly afterwards, depriving Edward III of a valuable ally and a claimant to the earldom of Artois.

Eudes IV of BurgundyvsRobert III of Artois

1341 Late Middle Ages Victory

Battle of Lunalonge

Lunalonge, Poitou, kingdom of France · War of the British Succession

In 1341, the Battle of Lunalonge constituted a minor but tactically significant engagement in the context of the War of the Succession of Brittany, a conflict which would serve as a pretext and secondary theater of operations for the Hundred Years' War. This skirmish pitted a French troop of around 400 horsemen, commanded by Louis of Spain (nobleman in the service of the King of France), against an English detachment of around 300 men, mainly archers and men-at-arms, commanded by Thomas Dagworth and serving John of Montfort, claimant to the Duchy of Brittany supported by England. The battle took place in Poitou, a strategic region controlling communications between English Aquitaine and Brittany. The French, having spotted the movement of the English column, organized a carefully prepared ambush in favorable terrain. The surprise attack, carried out from several directions simultaneously, completely surrounded the English detachment. The English archers, surprised and unable to take their usual defensive positions, were unable to deploy their formidable firepower. The combat quickly degenerated into hand-to-hand melee where the numerical superiority and mobility of the French cavalry prevailed. A large part of the English force was captured or put out of action, representing a significant loss for a detachment of this size. This small French victory illustrates the importance of mobility and surprise in medieval tactical engagements.

Louis of SpainvsThomas Dagworth

1342 Late Middle Ages Victory

Battle of Champtoceaux

Champtoceaux, Duchy of Brittany (today Maine-et-Loire, France) · War of the British Succession

On October 18, 1342, the Battle of Champtoceaux constituted a major and momentarily decisive victory for Charles of Blois in the War of the Brittany Succession. This battle saw the capture of his rival John of Montfort, an event which seemed likely to end the conflict in favor of the French camp. Champtoceaux, a strategic fortress located on the banks of the Loire, was besieged and stormed by the troops of Charles of Blois, reinforced by French contingents. The forces of Charles of Blois, estimated at around 5,000 men (a mixture of French troops, Breton Lièges, and allies), quickly surrounded the place held by John of Montfort with only 3,000 Montfortist soldiers. The encirclement was followed by a coordinated assault that quickly broke the weakened defenses of the fortress. Losses on the French side were low, while the Montfortists suffered significant losses and saw their leader John of Montfort captured and taken captive to Paris. This capture represented an apparent triumph for Charles of Blois and Philip VI, appearing to end John of Montfort's claim to the Duchy of Brittany. However, the resilience of the Montfortist camp, led by Jeanne de Flanders (wife of John of Montfort, nicknamed 'Jeanne la Flamme' for her indomitable character), with the continued support of the English, transformed this victory into a temporary success rather than a definitive end to the conflict.

Charles of BloisvsJohn of Montfort

1342 Late Middle Ages Defeat

Battle of Morlaix

Morlaix, Duchy of Brittany (today Finistère, France) · War of the British Succession

On September 20, 1342, the Battle of Morlaix represented a significant tactical defeat for Charles of Blois and early illustrated the English tactical superiority that would characterize the Hundred Years' War. This battle pitted around 4,000 men of Charles of Blois' French and Breton troops against a significantly numerically inferior (around 1,500 men) but tactically superior English force, commanded by Walter Manny (an experienced English knight) and William Bohun, Earl of Northampton (one of the best English commanders). The English, who had landed in Brittany to support the cause of John of Montfort (then captive but whose cause was defended by his wife Jeanne la Flamme), strategically entrenched themselves in a wood near Morlaix. This advantageous defensive position forces the French to attack in difficult and disadvantaged terrain. The English archers, positioned in the forest cover and on elevations, systematically decimated the French troops who were advancing in the open. The French cavalry's attempted charges were broken by volleys of arrows before even reaching the English positions. An English cavalry counterattack, carried out at the opportune moment when the French were disorganized and weakened, completed the French defeat. French losses were significant, while the English suffered only moderate losses (although both English commanders were wounded). This battle foreshadows the great French defeats to come, notably Crécy (1346) and Poitiers (1356), by demonstrating the formidable effectiveness of the combination of long-range archers and defensive position.

Charles of BloisvsWalter Manny and William Bohun

1342 Late Middle Ages Indecisive

Battle of Vannes

Vannes, Duchy of Brittany (today Morbihan, France) · War of the British Succession

In December 1342, the Battle of Vannes represented a bloody and indecisive episode of the War of the Succession of Brittany, ending with diplomatic mediation imposed by the European powers alarmed by the intensity of the conflict. The fighting pitted the French and Breton troops of Charles of Blois (around 4,000 men) against the English and Montfortist forces (around 3,000 men) commanded by Robert of Artois and Walter Manny. Vannes, an important strategic city in the Duchy of Brittany, was besieged by the English who were trying to seize it to strengthen their positions. Charles of Blois launches a counter-offensive to lift the siege and retake the city. The fighting was exceptionally intense, characterized by repeated frontal assaults by the French against the English entrenched positions. The English resisted with determination, using their archers and infantry to repel the attacks. The engagement degenerated into a prolonged and confused melee, with heavy losses on both sides. A crucial event occurs during the fighting: Robert of Artois, experienced leader of the English forces and a former banished French nobleman, is mortally wounded. His death represents a significant loss for the English camp. The fighting continued until papal mediation, supported by the kings of France and England themselves, imposed a ceasefire and a diplomatic truce. This external intervention reflects the concern of the European powers about the escalation of the conflict and their desire to avoid a generalization of the war.

Charles of BloisvsRobert of Artois and Walter Manny

1345 Late Middle Ages Defeat

Battle of Bergerac

Bergerac, Guyenne (today Dordogne, France) · Hundred Years' War

In August 1345, the Battle of Bergerac constituted the first act of a dazzling English campaign in Guyenne which would mark a turning point in the Hundred Years' War. Henry of Lancaster, Earl of Derby and one of the best English commanders of the war, landed in Bordeaux with an elite force of around 1,500 men (English and pro-Plantagenet Gascon troops). He immediately launched a daring offensive campaign aimed at reconquering the territories lost by the English in Aquitaine. Bergerac, an important strategic town in Périgord controlling a crossing point on the Dordogne, is the first target. The English attack was characterized by speed, surprise, and remarkable tactical coordination. The French troops, commanded by Louis de Poitiers and estimated at around 3,000 men, were taken completely by surprise. The English attack before the French can gather and organize an effective defense. The English archers, strategically positioned, decimated the defenders before they could even react. Attempts at French resistance were quickly broken, and the French army retreated in disorder, leaving Bergerac in English hands. This resounding victory, obtained against a numerically superior force, opened the way for a series of English successes in Guyenne and demonstrated English tactical superiority in rapid offensive operations.

Louis of PoitiersvsHenry of Lancaster

1345 Late Middle Ages Defeat

Battle of Auberoche

Auberoche, Guyenne (today Dordogne, France) · Hundred Years' War

On October 21, 1345, the Battle of Auberoche constituted one of the most brilliant tactical victories of the entire Hundred Years' War and the military masterpiece of Henry of Lancaster, Earl of Derby. This battle saw an elite English force of around 1,200 men triumph against a French siege army of around 7,000 men, a French numerical superiority of almost 6 to 1. The initial situation seemed hopeless for the English: an English garrison entrenched in the castle of Auberoche was besieged by a powerful French army commanded by Louis of Poitiers. Henry of Lancaster, informed of the critical situation, organized a daring and perfectly coordinated counterattack. The English attack, launched at nightfall to maximize the effect of surprise, combined several tactical elements in a remarkable manner: the English archers, positioned on a height dominating the French camp, systematically bombarded the French positions, creating confusion and inflicting significant losses. Meanwhile, the English infantry attacked from the front, while a cavalry charge, bypassing the French camp by a ford, struck the French from the rear. This coordinated attack on several simultaneous fronts completely disorganized the French army, which, surprised and attacked from all sides, fell into panic. The French rout was total: around 1,000 dead or wounded, many knights captured including Louis de Poitiers himself, while English losses were minimal. This victory, obtained against a vastly superior force, demonstrates the absolute tactical superiority of English methods and marks a major psychological turning point in the war.

Louis of PoitiersvsHenry of Lancaster

1346 Late Middle Ages Defeat

Battle of Crécy

Crecy-en-Ponthieu, France · Hundred Years' War

On August 26, 1346, the Battle of Crécy constituted one of the greatest defeats in French military history and a decisive turning point in the Hundred Years' War. This battle saw the army of Edward III of England (approximately 16,000 men: 4,000 cavalry, 7,000 archers, 5,000 infantrymen) inflict a crushing defeat on the French army of Philip VI of Valois (approximately 20,000 men: knights, infantrymen, French archers, and Genoese mercenaries). The battle took place on a hill near Crécy-en-Ponthieu, where Edward III carefully chose an advantageous defensive position. The English deployed in three defensive divisions, with the longbow-wielding archers forming 'wedges' between the divisions of men-at-arms, creating a deadly chessboard formation. The French, confident in their numerical superiority and in the tradition of the heavy cavalry charge, launched a series of disorganized and hasty assaults. The Genoese crossbowmen, exhausted by a forced march, were sent first but were quickly decimated by the English archers whose range and rate of fire were greater. Then the French knights charged in a disorderly manner, without coordination, and were massacred by volleys of arrows from English longbows before even reaching the English lines. The successive charges all failed, transforming the battlefield into a mass grave where thousands of French knights lay. French losses were catastrophic: several thousand dead, including many high-ranking nobles (the King of Bohemia, the Count of Alençon, the Count of Flanders, and many other great lords). English losses are minimal. This crushing defeat marks the end of the superiority of heavy chivalry and the advent of English tactical superiority based on archery and defense.

Philip VI of ValoisvsEdward III of England

1349 Late Middle Ages Defeat

Battle of Lunalonge

Lunalonge, Poitou (France) · Hundred Years' War

A small local battle in Saintonge: a French force tried to intercept an English raiding convoy but fell into a well-prepared ambush. Near Limalonges, Jean de Lille (~1,500 men) intercepted Thomas Coke (~500 Anglo-Gascons); the French held the advantage by day but lost their horses when captured.

Jean de LillevsThomas Coke

1349 Late Middle Ages Victory

Capture of Calais

Calais, France · Hundred Years' War

In late December 1349, Geoffroi de Charny gathered around 500 lances to retake Calais through a plot with English governor Amery de Pavie. Forewarned, Edward III set a trap: the French were surprised and captured in the castle tower.

Geoffrey of CharnyvsAmery of Pavia

1351 Late Middle Ages Victory

Battle of Saintes

Saintes, Saintonge (France) · Hundred Years' War

A pitched engagement near Saintes between French forces led by Jean de Clermont and English troops occupying the region. The battle turns in favor of the French after a decisive cavalry charge.

Jean de ClermontvsEnglish under Thomas Dagworth

1352 Late Middle Ages Defeat

Battle of Mauron

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

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.

Guy II de NeslevsAnglo-Breton troops commanded by Gauthier de Bentley

1356 Late Middle Ages Defeat

Battle of Poitiers

Nouaillé-Maupertuis, near Poitiers (France) · Hundred Years' War

The French, numerically superior, attack in four waves but are repulsed by a well-organized English defense. A surprise counterattack by the Black Prince on the French rear triggers their collapse. King John II is captured.

John II of FrancevsEdward

1362 Late Middle Ages Defeat

Battle of Brignais

Brignais, near Lyon (France) · Free Companies / Hundred Years' War (post-Poitiers context)

The royal army attempts to surprise the Free Companies established near Lyon. But the latter, well informed, lay an ambush. The French army is crushed. The Count of La Marche and many nobles are killed.

Jacques de BourbonvsFree Companies

1364 Late Middle Ages Victory

Battle of Cocherel

Cocherel, near Évreux (Normandy, France) · Hundred Years' War (support for Charles V against Charles the Bad)

Bertrand du Guesclin confronts and defeats Anglo-Navarrese forces supporting Charles the Bad of Navarre. Despite numerical inferiority, he uses a decoy and a flank attack on the left to disorganize the enemy and capture its leader.

Bertrand du GuesclinvsArmy of Charles II of Navarre

1364 Late Middle Ages Defeat

Battle of Auray

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

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.

Bertrand du GuesclinvsJohn de Montfort

1372 Late Middle Ages Victory

Battle of La Rochelle

Roadstead of La Rochelle, Atlantic coast (France) · Hundred Years' War

The Castilian fleet attacks the English fleet sent to resupply La Rochelle. Skillful maneuvers, bombard fire, and close combat lead to total victory. The English navy suffers one of its greatest disasters.

Ambrosio BoccanegravsEnglish fleet commanded by the Earl of Pembroke

1373 Late Middle Ages Victory

Battle of Chizé

Chizé, Poitou (France) · Hundred Years' War

As John of Gaunt leads a massive chevauchée from north to south across France, the French manage to harass his rearguard near Chizé. A coordinated attack by royal forces surprises the English and inflicts severe losses.

Bertrand du Guesclin and Louis de SancerrevsEnglish rearguard of John of Gaunt

1382 Late Middle Ages Victory

Battle of Roosebeke

Roosebeke, Flanders (present-day Belgium) · Flemish urban revolt / Hundred Years' War (broader context)

The royal French army, commanded by the young King Charles VI, confronts rebel Flemish militias opposing the authority of the Count of Flanders. Despite their numerical superiority, the Flemish are poorly organized and crushed by a decisive charge of French cavalry.

Charles VI of FrancevsRebel Flemish militias commanded by Philip van Artevelde

1383 Late Middle Ages Victory

Battle of Dunkirk

Dunkirk, County of Flanders (present-day France) · Flemish revolts and crusade of Urban VI

Franco-Burgundian forces intercept Flemish and English troops near Dunkirk during an expedition launched by the Bishop of Norwich as part of a crusade against partisans of the Avignon pope. The battle turns in favor of the French after a decisive charge of heavy cavalry.

Louis II of Flanders and Jean de ViennevsFlemish militias and English troops led by Henry Despenser

1407 Late Middle Ages Victory

Battle of Genoa

Port of Genoa, Ligurian Sea (Italy) · Franco-Genoese conflicts (Mediterranean dominance)

In a context of commercial and political rivalry, the French fleet led by Louis II of Anjou engages the Genoese fleet in the port of Genoa. Through skillful use of naval artillery and a surprise landing in the arsenal, the French inflict a heavy defeat on the Republic of Genoa.

Louis II of AnjouvsRepublic of Genoa

1415 Late Middle Ages Defeat

Battle of Agincourt

Agincourt, Artois (France) · Hundred Years' War

The French army, far more numerous, attempts to encircle exhausted English troops after their long march from Harfleur. On muddy ground, charges by French cavalry are disorganized and caught under constant fire from English archers protected by stakes. The slaughter is total.

Charles d'AlbretvsHenry V of England

1421 Late Middle Ages Victory

Battle of Baugé

Baugé, Anjou (France) · Hundred Years' War

Taking advantage of an imprudent separation between the English vanguard and its infantry, Scottish troops commanded by John Stewart of Darnley attack the English led by the Duke of Clarence from the flank. The latter dies in combat, triggering panic and English retreat.

John Stewart of DarnleyvsThomas of Lancaster

1423 Late Middle Ages Defeat

Battle of Cravant

Cravant, Yonne (France) · Hundred Years' War

The Franco-Scottish army attempts to cross the Yonne at Cravant to regain the initiative in the north. Anglo-Burgundian forces attack while the enemy army is divided by the river. The Scots fight valiantly but are overwhelmed by English archery and combined charges. Complete rout of the Dauphin's troops.

Sir John Stewart of AubignyvsThomas Montagu

1424 Late Middle Ages Defeat

Battle of Verneuil

Verneuil-sur-Avre, Normandy (France) · Hundred Years' War

The battle pits Franco-Scottish forces against an Anglo-Burgundian army during a French attempt to regain the initiative in the war. Despite fierce resistance, French troops are crushed, suffering a defeat similar to that at Agincourt.

John Stewart of DarnleyvsHenry V of England

1429 Late Middle Ages Victory

Battle of Orléans

Orléans, Loire Valley (France) · Hundred Years' War

After several months of English siege, Joan of Arc arrives to lift the defenders' morale and organizes a series of attacks aimed at breaking the siege. Tactical superiority, renewed motivation, and coordinated assaults lead to the lifting of the siege on 8 September.

Joan of ArcvsEnglish army commanded by William de la Pole

1429 Late Middle Ages Victory

Battle of Patay

Patay, Orléanais (France) · Hundred Years' War

A surprise French attack breaks the English archer formation that had caused heavy losses at Agincourt. French cavalry charges successfully, triggering total rout of the English and capture of several commanders.

Jean de Dunois and La HirevsEnglish army commanded by John Talbot and Richard Beauchamp

1450 Late Middle Ages Victory

Battle of Formigny

Formigny, Normandy (France) · Hundred Years' War

French forces effectively use their artillery against English troops, who are then caught in a pincer by French cavalry. The battle ends in a decisive English defeat, opening the way to complete reconquest of Normandy.

Jean de BourbonvsJohn Talbot

1453 Late Middle Ages Victory

Battle of Castillon

Castillon-la-Bataille, Gironde (France) · Hundred Years' War

The French army, supported by powerful artillery, defends a fortified camp against English forces. The battle ends in a decisive English defeat, with the death of John Talbot. This engagement marks the end of major English military presence in France.

Jean BureauvsJohn Talbot

Era timeline

1285

Naval Battle of Formigues

1285-09-04

Formigues Islands, Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Catalonia

Defeat

1285

Battle of Col de Panissars

1285-10-01

Col de Panissars, Pyrenees, near Perthus

Defeat

1298

Battle of Arques

1298-07-04

Arques, county of Flanders (today Pas-de-Calais, France)

Victory

1302

Battle of Courtrai (or the Golden Spurs)

1302-07-11

Kortrijk, county of Flanders (today Belgium)

Defeat

1304

Naval Battle of Zierikzee

1304-08-10

Zierikzee, county of Zeeland (present-day Netherlands)

Victory

1304

Battle of Mons-en-Pévèle

1304-08-18

Mons-en-Pévèle, French Flanders (today North, France)

Victory

1328

Battle of Cassel

1328-08-23

Cassel, county of Flanders (today Nord, France)

Victory

1340

Battle of the Lock

1340-06-24

Off the coast of L'Écluse, mouth of the Zwin (present-day Belgium)

Defeat

1340

Battle of Saint-Omer

1340-07-26

Saint-Omer, French Flanders (today Pas-de-Calais, France)

Victory

1341

Battle of Lunalonge

1341

Lunalonge, Poitou, kingdom of France

Victory

1342

Battle of Champtoceaux

1342-10-18

Champtoceaux, Duchy of Brittany (today Maine-et-Loire, France)

Victory

1342

Battle of Morlaix

September 20, 1342

Morlaix, Duchy of Brittany (today Finistère, France)

Defeat

1342

Battle of Vannes

December 1342

Vannes, Duchy of Brittany (today Morbihan, France)

Indecisive

1345

Battle of Bergerac

August 1345

Bergerac, Guyenne (today Dordogne, France)

Defeat

1345

Battle of Auberoche

October 21, 1345

Auberoche, Guyenne (today Dordogne, France)

Defeat

1346

Battle of Crécy

August 26, 1346

Crecy-en-Ponthieu, France

Defeat

1349

Battle of Lunalonge

1349

Lunalonge, Poitou (France)

Defeat

1349

Capture of Calais

December 31, 1349

Calais, France

Victory

1351

Battle of Saintes

1 April 1351

A pitched engagement near Saintes between French forces led by Jean de Clermont and English troops occupying the region. The battle turns in favor of the French after a decisive cavalry charge.

Saintes, Saintonge (France)

Victory

1352