Bertrand du Guesclin

Bertrand du Guesclin was a prominent Breton knight and military commander. He lived during the Hundred Years' War, a long conflict between France and England.

He is remembered for his clever leadership and his loyalty to the French crown. Many people gave him nicknames, such as "The Eagle of Brittany" and "The Black Dog of Brocéliande." He eventually rose to become the Constable of France. This position made him the highest-ranking military officer in the country.

Du Guesclin was famous for using a specific military method called a Fabian strategy. Instead of seeking out massive, open battles, he focused on avoiding them when possible. He preferred to use surprise and small, effective strikes to weaken his enemies. This approach was very different from the traditional way knights fought. Throughout his career, he participated in seven major pitched battles. He successfully won five of those battles where he held direct command.

His early career began in his home region of Brittany. He served in the Breton War of Succession, which lasted from 1341 to 1364. During this time, he fought for Charles of Blois, who was supported by France. Du Guesclin was knighted in 1354 after he helped defend the Castle of Montmuran. He also used guerrilla tactics to defend the city of Rennes against an English siege. In 1364, he fought at the Battle of Cocherel. He defeated an army led by Jean de Grailly, which helped secure the Duchy of Burgundy for the French King's brother, Philip.

In 1366, du Guesclin took his skills to the kingdom of Castile. He led a group of "free companies," which were soldiers who had been pillaging France. He helped Henry of Trastámara capture several important fortresses, including the capital city of Burgos. During a decisive conflict at the Battle of Montiel in 1369, du Guesclin played a critical role. When the two leaders, Henry and Pedro I, fought a duel, du Guesclin intervened to help Henry win. This action helped Henry take the throne of Castile.

This event in Castile created a lasting phrase in the Spanish language. It is said that du Guesclin remarked, "I neither remove nor put a King, but I do help my Sire." Today, people use this expression to describe someone who performs a task without taking responsibility for the outcome. Following his success, Bertrand was granted the title of Duke of Molina. This helped create a strong alliance between France and Castile. His ability to navigate complex political and military situations made him a very valuable leader.

In 1370, King Charles V appointed du Guesclin as the Constable of France. This was an unusual choice because the role was usually reserved for high-ranking nobles. However, the King needed a professional soldier to lead his armies. Du Guesclin immediately began winning victories, such as at the Battle of Pontvallain. He also helped the French fleet destroy an English fleet at the Battle of La Rochelle in 1372. In that battle, over 8,000 English soldiers were captured. He spent much of his time reclaiming French territory and conducting raids on English coasts.

Bertrand du Guesclin died of an illness in 1380 while on a military expedition. He passed away at Châteauneuf-de-Randon in the Languedoc region. He was given a grand burial at Saint-Denis in the tomb of the Kings of France. While his tomb was later destroyed during the French Revolution, his legacy remains. His heart is still preserved at the basilica of Saint-Sauveur in his home of Dinan. Even today, he is a figure of interest in history books and even in modern novels.