The Siege of Hennebont occurred during the
War of the Breton Succession
The War of the Breton Succession (, ) was a conflict between the Counts of Blois and the Montforts of Brittany for control of the Sovereign Duchy of Brittany, then a fief of the Kingdom of France. It was fought between 1341 and 12 April 1 ...
. The forces of
Charles of Blois
Charles of Blois-Châtillon (131929 September 1364), nicknamed "the Saint", was the legalist Duke of Brittany from 1341 until his death, via his marriage to Joan, Duchess of Brittany and Countess of Penthièvre, holding the title against the c ...
conducted an unsuccessful siege of
Jeanne of Flandre's troops in May-June 1342.
History
Jeanne of Flandre took refuge in
Hennebont
Hennebont (; ) is a commune in the Morbihan department in the region of Brittany in north-western France.
Geography
Hennebont is situated about ten miles from the mouth of the River Blavet, which divides it into two parts: the ''Ville Close'' ...
and waited for reinforcements promised by her vassal,
Amaury of Clisson and English troops. The city was besieged by the supporters of the opposing ducal claimant, Charles of Blois. When Charles' army arrived in front of the city, some of his Spanish and Genoese troops advanced against orders and engaged some of the defenders in impromptu tournaments in front of the city gates. Charles was forced to assault the town gates prematurely to allow his impetuous troops to retreat, but the attack failed and the defenders inflicted heavy losses on his army. Subsequent assaults also failed and the besiegers attempted to starve the defenders out for several weeks before lifting the siege in late June.
[Sumption, pp. 394–395]
Citations
Bibliography
*Sumption, Jonathan. ''The Hundred Years’ War Volume I: Trial by Battle''. London: Faber and Faber, 1990
External links
Summary on the area of the Cultural Institute of Bretagne
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hennebont
Hennebont (1342)
Hennebont (1342)
Conflicts in 1342
1342 in England
1340s in France
Military history of Brittany
History of Morbihan
War of the Breton Succession