[MR] Bertrand du Guesclin, Greatest French Knight

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble friends,

On this date in 1380, the Constable of France, Bertrand du Guesclin, died
of natural causes while on campaign in Languedoc.

Du Guesclin came from a modest noble Breton family. Styling himself after
the great English knight William Marshal, the young du Guesclin fought in
"tournaments of peace" while still a man-at-arms. He became wealthy by
claiming ransoms from the various knights he defeated. He later joined the
French side during the Hundred Years Wars, and after proving himself as a
successful commander was knighted in 1354.

Du Guesclin fought in seven pitched battles during his career, and won the
five where he was in overall command. Twice while serving other commanders,
du Guesclin was forced to surrender. Both times he was ransomed by the
French King Charles V at great expense.

His outstanding career was marred by joining the wars in Castille. He
joined Count Henry of Trastámara against the latter's half-brother King
Pedro I of Castile and León (later besmirched by Henry with the posthumus
title "Pedro the Cruel"). In 1369 while pretending to betray Henry after
accepting a bribe from Pedro, du Guesclin lured Pedro to Henry's tent and
an assassination. Fighting with daggers, Pedro appeared to gain the upper
hand over Henry, when du Guesclin stepped in. The nice version is he
grabbed Pedro's foot, allowing Henry to recover and land the fatal blow.
Other accounts say du Guesclin simply stabbed Pedro in the back.

No matter. In 1370 du Guesclin was recalled from Castille by Charles V, and
was made Constable of France. For the next ten years du Guesclin led the
French to victory after victory against the English. He died of natural
causes in 1380, and was buried with great honor in the basilica of
Saint-Denis amid the tombs of French royalty.

You can read more about Bertrand du Guesclin at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertrand_du_Guesclin .

Yours Aye,

Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆
Continuing a crusade to keep the original Merry Rose relevant and in
business.