Biography of John Chandos 1320-1369

Around 1320 John Chandos was born at Radbourne Hall, Derbyshire [Map].

Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. On Friday [20th November 1355], having been informed that the French were nearby and had formed themselves into five large battles, our forces advanced about one mile from their lodging and drew themselves up in a suitable field, prepared for battle. Thus, with the army arrayed, someone cried out that a hare had been roused; hearing this, the enemy sent out forty lancers, who, upon seeing the army drawn up in full order and quickly returning with this report, caused all the French to flee in great panic, as was reported by those captured in the pursuit. That day, Bartholomew de Burghersh (age 27),¹ John Chandos (age 35), and James Audley (age 37), leading a force of eighty lancers, attacked the rear of the French host, capturing thirty-two knights and squires, among them the Count of Roumania,² and killing many baggage handlers, destroying their supplies. Later, the prince lodged at the town of Muwos, where four French men-at-arms who had fled into the church were captured by the English; they lost only their horses and arms. On Saturday, in rainy weather, they took a difficult and narrow road to the castle of Oradrie, where the prince spent the night, and the next morning had it burned.

Die Veneris, certificato quod Gallici in acies quinque magnas fuerant divisi de prope existentes, progressi nostri ad spacium unius miliaris de ospicio seipsos in campo apto ordinarunt ad preliandum. Itaque exercitu ordinato, quidam suscitatum leporem exclamarunt; quod audientes inimici emiserunt xl. lanceatos, per quos viso exercitu ordinato reversosque celeriter hec nunciantes, omnes fugerunt cum magno pavore, sicud retulerunt capti ex eiis in persecucione. Illo die Bartholomeus de Burghasche, Iohannes Chandos, et Iacobus Daudeleye, ad summam quater viginti lanceatorum ordinati discooperatores, accedentes ad caudam exercitus Gallicorum, captivarunt triginta duos milites et domicellos, et inter eos dominum comitem de Romenie; item, multos bigarios occiderunt, destruentes eorum victualia. Sero principe ospitato in villa de Muwos, quatuor Gallici armorum, Anglicos fugitivi in ecclesiam illius ville, equos et arma dumtaxat perdiderunt. Sabbato pluvioso carpserunt malum iter et strictum ad castrum de Oradrie, in quo princeps pernoctavit, et mane id combussit.

Note 1. The prince of Wales's letter to the bishop of Winchester (Avesbury 434 The two famous comrades of the Black Prince, sir John Chandos and sir James Audley, were both founders of the Garter. Chandos was mortally wounded in a skirmish near Lussac in Poitou, 31st December 1369.

Note 2. There was a seigneur de Romeny, but no count with that title.

. "Reverend father in God and right trusty friend, in respect of news of these parts, please you to know that, since the writing of our last letters which we sent unto you, it was agreed by advice and counsel of all the lords being with us and of the lords and barons of Gascony, by reason that the count of Armagnac was leader of the wars of oar adversary and his lieutenant in all the land of Languedoc and had more oppressed and destroyed the liegemen of our most honoured lord and father the king and his land than any other in those parts, that we should draw towards his land of Armagnac. So, in regard thereto, we went through the land of Juliac, which yielded to us with the strongholds which were therein. So we rode afterwards through the land of Armagnac, harrying and wasting the country, whereby the lieges of our said most honoured lord, whom the count had before oppressed, were much comforted. And from thence we passed through the land of the viscounty of La Riviére. So we rode afterwards through the county of Astarac, and from thence through the midst of the county of Commingues, even to a town called Samatan, which was the best town of the said county, and which those which were within deserted at the coming of our people. And then we passed by the land of the count of Lisle, till we came to a league's distance of Toulouse, where the said count of Armagnac and other great men of our enemies were gathered; and there we tarried two days. And from thence we took our march and crossed in one day the two rivers of Garonne and Aritge, one league above Toulouse, which are very stiff and strong to pass, without losing scarce any of our people; and we lodged the night a league the other side of Toulouse. And we took our road through the land of Toulouse, where were many goodly towns and strongholds burnt and destroyed, for the land was very rich and plenteous; and there was not a day but towns, castles, and strongholds were taken by some one of our battles or by each one. And from thence we went to the town of Avignonet, which was very great and strong, and it was taken by storm; and therein were lodged all our battles. So wo went from thence to Castelnaudary, whither we came on the ove of All Saints, and we abode there the day of the feast, all the host being lodged therein. And from thence wo took our road to Carcassonne, which was a fair city and great, and great chieftains were therein and men of arms and commons in great number; for most of the people from the land of Toulouse had fled there, but at sight of us they forsook the city and fled to the old city, which was a very strong castle. So we stayed there two days, all the host being lodged within, and the whole of the third day we remained for burning of the said city, so that it was clean destroyed and undone. And then we rode through all the land of Carcassonne until we came to the city of Narbonne, which was a noble city and of fair size, greater than Carcassonne; which the people of the same did forsake and betook them to the castle, wherein was the viscount of Narbonne with five hundred men of arms, as was said; and there we abode two days, all the host being lodged therein. And at this time the holy father sent to meet us two bishops, which sent unto us to have conduct, which we would not grant unto them. For we would enter into no treaty, until we should know the will of our much honoured lord and father the king, and specially by reason that we had news that our lord was passed the sea with his power. But we sent back word to them by our letters that, if they should wish to treat, they should draw towards him, and that which he would command us, we would do it; and in such manner they turned back. And there we took our counsel whither we might best draw; and, by reason that we had news from prisoners and others that our enemies were gathered together and were coming after us to fight us, we turned again to meet them, and thought to have had the battle in the three days next following. And on our turning back towards them, they turned again towards Toulouse. So we pursued them in long marches near to Toulouse; where we took our road to pass the Garonne at a town called Carbonne, at three leagues from Toulouse, where we tarried a day and the night following. Before midnight there came unto us news that the enemy with all their power, to wit, the count of Armagnac, the constable of France, the marshal Clermont, and the prince of Orange, together with many other great men of those parts, were come from Toulouse and were camped at two leagues distance from our rear guard; and there they lost some of their men and waggons at their camping. And upon this news we drew towards them, and thereon we sent forth my lord Bartholomew of Burghersh, my lord John Chandos (age 35), my lord James of Audley, my lord Baldwin Botour, my lord Thomas Felton, and other of our men, to the number of thirty lances, to certify us of the certainty of the said enemy. And they rode towards them, until they came to a town where they found two hundred men of arms of their side, with whom they fought and took of them five and thirty men of arms. Upon which doings the enemy hasted sore afraid to their quarters, and held their road right to the cities of Lombez and Sauveterre, which towns were distant the one from the other only half an English league; and before them we encamped that same night so near to the enemy that we could see their fires in their quarters. But there was between them and us a great deep river, and on the night before our coming they broke down the bridges, so that we might not pass over until on the morrow we sent our people on before to remake the said bridges. And from thence the enemy drew to the town of Gimont, whither we came the day that they came; and, before that they could enter the said town, our people took and slew full plenty of them. And on that same night we camped before the said town and abode there on the morrow the whole day, thinking to have had battle. And the same day we stood in arms, with all our battles, in the fields before sunrise; where there came unto us the news that before daylight the greater part of their host had gone away, but the leaders remained in quiet in the said town, which was great and strong to hold against much people. And after this news we returned again to our quarters and took counsel what were best for us to do. And, forasmuch as we perceived that they would not have fighting, it was agreed that we ought to draw toward our marches, in manner and according as my lord Richard of Stafford will know how to tell you more at large than we could write unto you; to whom please you, in these matters and in all others which he shall tell and show as from us, to give faith and credence. Reverend father in God and right trusty friend, may He who is almighty have you ever in his keeping. Given under our privy seal at Bordeaux, on Christmas day [1355]."

"Reverent piere en Dieu et tres foiable amy, endroit des novels ceaundroites voiletz savoir ge, puis la fesaunce de noz derrains lettres geux nous vous envoiasmes, accorde estoit par avys et conseil de touts lez seignurs esteauntz entour nous et de seignurs et barons de Gascoigne, par cause qe le counte Dermynak estoit chevetein des guerres nostre adversarie et soen lientenaunt en tout le pais de Lange de ok, et plus avoit greve et destruit les lieges gentz nostre tres honure seignur et piere le roy et son pais ge nulle autre en ycelles parties, qe nous deverons trere vers son pays Dermynak. Si alasmes laundroit parmy le pais de Juliak, le quele se rendy a nous od lex forteressez ge dedeinz estoient. Si chivachasmes apres parmy la pays Dermynak, grevantz et destruantz le pais, de qoi lez lieges nostre dit tres honure seignur, as geux il avoit devaunt greve, estoient mult recomfortez. Et dillesqes passames parmy la terre de la viscountee de la Rivere. Si ochivachasmes apres la pays du countee Dastrak, et dillesqes parmy le countee de Cumenge, tange a une ville appelle Seint Matan, gestoit le meilour ville du dit countee, la quele ceaux qe dedeinz estoient voideront a la venue de noz gentz. Et puis passasmes par la terre le counte de Isele, tantqe nous venismes a une lieue de Tholouse, od le dit counte Dermynak et aultres grauntz noz enemys estoient assemblez; ou nous demeorasmes par IJ jours. Et dillesqes preismes nostre chemyn et passames en une jour lez IJ rivers de Gerounde et de Ariage, a une licue par amount Tholouse, qe sount assez reddez et fortes a passer, saunz gaires perde de noz gents; et loggasmes la muyt a une lieue de lautre lee de Tholouse. Et preismes nostre chemyn parmy Tholousane, od estoient meyntez bones villes et forteresses ars et destruitz, car la terre estoit mult riche et plentenouse; et si nestoit nul journee ge villes, chasteaux, et forteresces nestoient prises par ascune de nos batailles od par chescune. Et dillesqes alasmes a la ville de Avinonetes, qe estoit bien graunt et fort, et fust pris par force; dedeinz quele estoient loggez toutz noz batailles. Si alasmes dillesqes a chastiel Naudarry, ou nous venismes la veille de Toutz Seintz, et demurrasmes illeosqes le jour de la feste, tout lost dedeinz logge. Et dillesqes preismes nostre chemyn a Carcason, qestoit bieal ville et graunt, et grauntz cheveteyns dedeinz et des geantz darmes et comunes a grant nombre; car tout le plus de geantz de pays de Tholousane tanqe la estoient fuiz, meas a nostre venue ils guerperont la ville et sen fuerent al auncien ville, gestoit mult fort chastiel. Si demurrasmes illeosqes IJ jours, tout lost dedeinz logge, et le tierce jour entier demurrasmes sur lardour de la dit, ville, si ge lestoit nettement destrait et defait. Et puis chivachasmes tut le pays de Carcasees tange nous venismes al ville de Nerbone, qestoit noble ville et graunt assez, plus ge nestoit Carcasone; la quele lez geantz dycelle guerperont et mistrent en chastiel, dedeinz quele estoit le viscounte de Nerbone od pn. hommes darmes, a ceo come dist est; ou nous demurrasmes IJ jours, tout lost dedeinz logge. A quele heure le geint piere manda devers nous IJ evesqes, lez qeux manderent a nous pur conduyt avoir, le quele nous ne lour vodrons ottroier. Car nous ne vorrons entrer en tretee nulle, tantqe nous seoussiens la volente nostre tres honure seignur et piere le roy, et nomement par cause ge nous avons mnovelles ge nostre seignur estoit passe la meer ovesqe soen poair. Einz lour remandasmes par noz lettres ge, sils vorront treter, ils se treassent devers loy, et ceo gil nous vorroit comander nous le ferrons; et en tiel manere ils se returnmerent. Et illesqes preismes nostre counsail vers ou nous purrona mieltz trere; et, par cause qe nous avons novels de prisoners et anltres ge noz enemys estoient assemblez et venoient apres nous pur nous combatre, nous retournasmes devers eaux, et quidasmes daver eu la bataille deinz les trois jours ensuantz. Et sur nostre retourn devers eaux, ils se retournerent devers Tholouse. Si lez pursuismes a grandes journes tantqe pres Tholouse; od nous preismes nostre chemyn a passer Gerounde a une ville appelle Carboun, a iIJ liecues de Tholouse, od nous demurrasmes une jour et la nuyt suant. Devant la mynuyt nous vindrent novels qe les enemys od tut lor poair, cest assaver, le counte Derminak, le conestable de Fraunce, le marschal Clermound et le prince Dorenge, ensemblement od plasors aultres graunts de ycelles parties, estoient venuz de Tholouse et se loggerent a IJ licues pres de nostre arrer gard, od ils perdrent de lour geants et cariages sur lour loggier. Sur queles novels nous treismes devers eaux, et sur ceo mandasmes hors mounsire Barthelemeu de Burwessche, mounsire Johan Chaundos, mounsire James Daudele, mounsire Baudewyn Botour, mounsire Thomas de Filtone, et aultres de nostres, a la mountance de XXX gleyves, de noz certefier de certeinete des dits enemis. Les queux chivachoient devers eaux, tantge ils vindrent a une ville ou ils troverent CC hommes darmes de lour, on les queux ils avoient affaire et pristerount de eaux XXXV hommes darmes. Sur quele busoigne les enemys se hastoient mult affraement a lour logges, et tindrent loar chemyn tut droit a les villes de Lombeys et Sauvetre, les queles villes nestoient lun del autre ge demy lieu Engleys; devaunt quels nous nous loggasmes mesme la nuyt si pres de eaux ge nous purrons veer lor feues en lor logges. Mes il y avoit entre eaux et nous une graunde profounde river, et de nuyt devaunt nostre venue ils ount debruse les pountz, si qe uous ne purrons passer tantqe lendemayn qe nous mandacmes noz gentz devaunt pur refaire les dits pountz. Et dillesqges lez enemys se treerent a la ville de Gymount, od nous venismes le jour qils y vindront; et, devaunt qils purroient entrer la dite ville, noz geants pristrent et tuerent tut plain de lour. Et mesme cele nuyt nous loggeasmes devaunt la dite ville et demurrasmes illesqges lendemeyne tut le jour, entendantz daver eu la bataille. Et le dit jour, estoions armes, od touts noz batailles, es champs devaunt le solail levaunt; ou nous vindrent novels qe devaunt jour la plus graunt partie de lor host estoient departiez, meas lez cheventeynes demurrerent en pees en la dite ville, gestoit grauud et forte pur tenir encontre multz des geantz. Et apres celles novels nous retournasmes a noz logges, et preismes consail ge mieltz nous serroit affeare. Sur qoi nous nentendismes pas qils vorront aver le bataille, accordeux estoit qe nous nous deveroms trere devers nos marches, en manere et solonc ceo qe mounsire Richard de Stafforde vous savera plas plainement dire ge nous ne vous puissons escrivere; a qi voilletz de cestes choses et toutz aultres qil dirra et mons. tera de par nous doner foi! et credence. Reverent piere en Dieu et tres fiable amy, Luy tout puissant vous eit toutz jours en sa garde. Done soutz nostre secre seal a Burdeaux, le jour de Noel."

Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Therefore, a rumour filled with terror struck the ears of the common people of France, and when it reached the hearing of the lord prince, who was staying at La Réole, it stirred the heart of that most compassionate prince deeply, he, as one who could not at all bear that the safety of his father should be entangled in the hazards of war, unless he were present and able to share in the toil and the burdens of uncertain fortune, whether hard or favourable. Accordingly, gathering the forces¹ he had with him in the duchy, with the intention of crossing France and presenting himself to his father with eager filial affection, he came to Bergerac. There, having been informed that the Count of Armagnac had attempted to ravage the region after his departure, and had been well-provided with a sizeable military force for this purpose, he sent back to safeguard the territory the seneschal of Gascony, and Lord Bernard de Libreto, along with the mayor of Bordeaux and other Gascons, as well as a large company of foot soldiers.

Igitur fama plena terroris populares aures Gallie perculsit, que ad auditum domini principis apud Regulam demorantis erat ventilata et viscera piissimi principis commovit egre, ceu nullatenus potentis sufferre sui patris salutem Martis amfractibus implicari, dummodo non esset presens et posset communicati laboris et ambigue fortune duras seu molles sarcinas conferre. Proinde, congestis copiis quas habuit secum in ducatu, cum intencione trans Franciam cupitis osculis paternis se presentare, venit ad Brugeracum, ubi, certificatus comitem Arminiaci voluisse post eius recessum patriam depopulasse et ad hoc milicia copiosa stipatum nec inparatum fuisse, remisit ad patrie tutelam senescallum Vasconie et dominum Bernardum de Libreto, maiorem quoque Burdegalensem, simulque cum eis alios Vascones et magnam classem togatorum.

Note 1. There are four contemporary documents which provide valuable particulars concerning the campaign of the prince of Wales, which culminated in the battle of Poitiers. They are:

1. Letter of the Prince of Wales to the Corporation of London.

2. Letter of the Prince of Wales to the Bishop of Worcester.

3. Letter of Bartholomew, lord Burghersh, to sir John Montagu (printed by Francisque Michel in his edition of Chandos Herald's Black Prince, 1883, p. 336-338.

And, above all, the itinerary of the campaign which is embodied in the Eulogium, a chronicle attributed to a monk of Malmesbury (ed. F. S. Haydon, Rolls Series, 3.215): "As the prince set out toward the land of France from Brigerac on Thursday, that is, on the fourth day of the month of August [1356], riding into French territory, on the following Saturday he arrived in the region of Périgord. There, Lord Bartholomew de Burghersh with his men had captured two large walled towns, which Lord de Marsan held in the prince's name. These same towns, to the great detriment of the enemy, he valiantly and vigorously held until the prince's arrival. On the following Sunday, namely the seventh day of the month of August [1356], the lord prince moved his army to a certain town which had belonged to the bishop of Périgord. Because a cathedral see was located there, a sentence of excommunication had been pronounced upon all marauders raging in that place against the will of the bishop. However, after the prince and the bishop had conferred together, that sentence had no effect. This discussion took place on the following Monday as they travelled along the road, and the lord prince spent the entire night near a very strong castle called Rammesforde. On the following Tuesday, the lord prince, with his battle, proceeded to a certain town called Bremptoun and there he spent the night. On Wednesday, that is, on the feast day of Saint Lawrence [10th August 1356], the prince crossed a large ford near a mill, above which there had once stood a very strong castle and a town called Quisser, where he remained throughout the night. On the following Thursday, the prince came to a town called Merdan; for there he found an abundance of fish for sale and purchase, and therefore he remained there peacefully throughout the night. On Friday, he came to the town of Rochewar. On Saturday, he came by the abbey of Peruche, where the nobles and magnates were lodged along the bank of the Wigan, beneath which flows the river so named. On Sunday, that is, the 14th day of August [1356], the prince crossed the aforementioned river and immediately unfurled his banners and came to a certain town called Litherp. There was a very strong abbey there, which resisted the prince for a long part of the day; at length, however, it surrendered to the will of the prince, with the people, the church, and its belongings being spared. The prince remained there through Monday, which was then the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. On the following Tuesday, the prince came to the town of Belelak, which belonged to the Countess of Pembroke. Out of love for her, the town was spared from being set on fire. On Wednesday, the prince came to a certain town with a very strong castle, both of which belonged to Lord James of Bourbon, whose wife was residing there. The church of that town resisted the prince for a large part of the day, but eventually submitted to his will. On that same day, the first division of the army captured two very strong castles by assault, where the prince remained for the following Thursday night. On Friday, the prince came to a town called Luchank, where he found a great abundance of fish; he spent the night there, and on the following day, he burned the town. On Saturday, he journeyed toward the town of Saint-Benoît-de-Sault, which was a very beautiful town. In it was an abbey where two nephews of the Lord de la Brette held a large sum of gold, amounting to 13,000 gold florins. On Sunday, namely the 21st day of the month of August [1356], the prince came to the town called Argenton, where there was a strong castle beneath the town; there he remained on Monday. On that same day, while on the march, a very strong castle was captured by some from that company. On Tuesday, the prince came to a certain town called in French Citerauf, which was a most beautiful town. On the same day, he came to another town called Saint Yman, where the rearguard encamped for that whole night. Afterwards, he came to another moated town where there was a noble and strong abbey called Burgo Dei ("Bourg-Dieu"). There indeed is a great pilgrimage to the relics of Saints Cosmas and Damian, which lie there in great veneration. There, the vanguard remained for the whole of Wednesday, because that day was the feast of Saint Bartholomew. On Thursday, the prince came to a great castle of the king of France, which is called Isoldoun; and there he remained on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, that is, the 28th day of August, the prince came to a strong castle called le Feerte, which belonged to the Viscount of Thouars, where Lords Berkeley and la Ware remained until the baggage train passed ahead of them. Afterwards, he passed through an old walled town, though broken, called Lury, for there used to be the boundary of the Duchy of Guyenne on that side. He then crossed a river, called the Cher, which divides the Duchy from the Kingdom of France, and spent the night in the town of Virizon. Three days earlier, the captain of La Buche had already ravaged the whole countryside. There had been a noble abbey, which was burned. That same day, Sir John Chandos (age 36) and Sir James Audley (age 38) launched an assault on the town of Daubene, took it by force of arms, and laid it waste with fire and flame. Also on that day, these two knights conducted a raid with 200 men, and encountered a Frenchman named Gris Motoun, who had with him eighty lances; all were routed and killed, although 18 knights and squires were taken prisoner. The English had only 10 lances, and Gris Motoun was the first to flee. On Monday, the feast of the Beheading of Saint John the Baptist [29th August 1356], the prince arrived at a town called Frank', situated upon the river that divides the Kingdom of France from the Duchy [of Aquitaine]. That same day, the men of Lord de Camont captured eight knights and squires belonging to Lord de Crone and Lord de Bursigaud. Also on that day, news came to the prince that the King of France wished to engage him in battle, at which he rejoiced greatly. When the prince had ridden about 16 leagues from the city of Orléans, he heard that Lord de Crone and Lord de Bursigaud were advancing against him with sixty lances and a large company. The prince then boldly led his forces to meet them, until he arrived at a walled town called Romorantin, where the aforementioned enemies had taken refuge. There he pitched his tents and remained for three days beside a ford near the town, on a river called the Soudre. This likely occurred on Tuesday. On the following Wednesday, the prince ordered an assault to be made on the town, and so it was done; a very fierce one. Those inside resisted bravely, since there were many armed men within the castle. There was another fortress near the main one, very strong and within bowshot, which was called le Donjon. This inflicted considerable damage on the prince's men. At last, when the town was taken, the Donjon still resisted fiercely; it had been built in the form of a tower. There, a noble knight, though young, surnamed de la Brette, was killed, along with a noble squire who had served with the captain of la Buche. On the following Thursday, they constructed three wooden shelters (hurdesia) to attack and dismantle the tower. Of these: The Earl of Suffolk built one, Bartholomew Burghersh built another, and a great man of Gascony constructed the third. On Friday and Saturday, fire was set beneath the tower, such that those inside were unable to extinguish it effectively, having only a small quantity of wine and water within. Then, they began to negotiate peace and the surrender of the tower throughout that entire day, and in the end, they submitted themselves entirely to the prince's mercy, and the tower was surrendered. On the following Sunday, which was the fourth day of September [1356], the prince rested, and ordered his men to prepare their equipment. On the following Monday, the prince came to the land that belonged to the domain of the Count of Bisser and Burgilloun. On Tuesday, the prince came to a castle belonging to the county of Blois, which is situated on the river Cher. On Wednesday, the prince came to Amboise on the Loire near Tours, in the region of Touraine, a noble and very beautiful city; there he remained through Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, during which the prince's men made good progress. On Sunday, which was the 11th day of the month of September [1356], the prince moved his army and very early crossed a very dangerous river, which is called the Indre; and advancing, he came to the town of Montbazon and there spent the night near a strong castle. On the following Monday, the Cardinal of Périgord came to the prince along with an archbishop, several bishops, and other magnates, preaching about piety and mercy. At that time it was said that the Dauphin was at Tours in Touraine with a thousand men-at-arms, not counting attendants and footmen. And it was said that the King of France, with his host, would come forth to engage with the prince on the following Wednesday. On the following Tuesday, the prince passed through the town of Saint-Omer, where Lord de Croon holds dominion; and that day he spent the night at a town called La Haye, which is situated on the bank of the Creuse River. At that town, news came to the prince that the King of France wished to get ahead of us, for he greatly feared that perhaps the prince would flee upon seeing the French army. On the following Wednesday, the prince came to the castle called Chastel Heraud, which is a beautiful and large town situated on the river Vienne; and he remained there through Thursday and Friday. There he received news that the King of France had lodged on Saturday night on the same river at a small town called Chanigny. Therefore, the prince ordered a proclamation that all pack animals, wagons, and those carrying provisions should cross the bridge that same night, lest on the following day they hinder the army while crossing the bridge and hastening toward their enemies and so it was done. .

In his letter to the bishop of Worcester the prince says that he began the campaign on the eve of the Translation of saint Thomas of Canterbury, that is, on the 6th July. Baker begins with the prince's arrival at Bergerac, which he entered on the 4th August. Marching almost due north, his object being to join hands with the duke of Lancaster, who commanded in Brittany, he reached Argenton on the 21st, Chateauroux on the 23rd, and Vierzon on the 28th of the month. The combat with Philippe (called Grismouton) de Chambly took place on the latter day [Eulogium, 218].

. "Right dear lord and right trusty friend, touching news since your departure, please you to know that there are taken and surrendered five walled towns, to wit: Port-Sainte-Marie Clairac, Tonneins, Bourg-Saint-Pierre, Castelsagrat, and Brassac; and seventeen castles, to wit: Coiller, Buzet, Levynac, two castles called Boulogne, which are close together Montjoie, Viresch, Frechenet, Montendre, Pusdechales, Mont. pont, Montignac, Vauclaire, Benevent, Listrac, Plassac, Condestablison, and Montréal. And please you to know that my lord John Chandos (age 36), my lord James of Audley, and your men that are with them, and the other Gascons that are in their company, and my lord Baldwin Botetort and that compeny, and my lord Reginald Cobham, took the said town which is called Castelsagrat by assault, and the bastard of I'Isle, that was captain of the said town, was slain, as they were assaulting, and was stricken with an arrow through the head. And my lord Reginald is returned back towards Lanedac, and my lord Baldwin towards Brassac, with their company, and my lord John and my lord James and those of their company have remained in Castelsagrat, and have enough of victuals between this and St. John's day, save fresh fish and greens, as they have sent us word by their letters. Wherefore you need not concern yourself about your good folk. And there are in that town more than three hundred lances and three hundred foot soldiers and one hundred snd fifty archers. And they have ridden before Agen, and have burnt and destroyed all their mills, and also huve broken down and burnt their bridges which went over the Garonne, and have taken a castle without the said town and have fortified it. And my lord John of Armagnac and the seneschal of Agenois, that were within the town of Agen, would not once put out their heads, nor any of their men; yet have they been before the said town twice. And my lord Boucicaut came, and my lord Ernald of Spain, and Grismouton of Chambly, with three hundred lances and three hundred Lombard soldiers, and are in the town of Moissac, which is in Quercy, and is but a league from Castelsagrat and a league from Brassac. And you may well think that there will be a goodly company there for each man to make trial of his comrade. And please you to know that my lord Bartholomew is at Cognac with six score men of arms of my lord's household and six score archers, and the captal de Bach, the lord Monferrand and the lord of Curton, which have with them full three hundred lances and six score archers and two hundred soldiers, and there are in Taillebourg, Tonnay, and Rochefort some troops; so that they may well be, when they are gathered together, six hundred lances. And at the writing hereof they were gone out on a raid towards Anjou and Poiton. And the earls of Suffolk, Oxford, and Salisbury, the lord of Mucidan, my lord Elie de Pommiers, and other Glascons with them, which are full more than five hundred lances, and two hundred soldiers and three hundred archers, were at the writing hereof towards the parts of Notre Dame de Rochemade, and have been out more than twelve days, and were not returned back at the sending of these presents. My lord John Chandos, my lord James, and my lord Baldwin, and those that are in their company are also gone forth on a raid toward their side. My lord Reginald and they of the bousehold, with the Gascons which are in their company, are also gone forth on a raid toward their side. The earl of Warwick hath been at Tonneins and at Clairac, at the taking of those towns; and he is, at the writing hereof, toward Marmand, to destroy their victuals and all other things of theirs that he can destroy. My lord is at Libourne, and the lord of Pommiers is at Fronsac, which is but a quarter of a league from Libourne. And the people of my lord lie as well at Saint-Emilion as at Libourne. And my lord Bérard of Albret is there with him. And my lord watcheth for news which he ought to have there, and, according to the news that he shall have, he will dispose himself as seemeth best for his honour. At the writing hereof the count of Armagnac was at Avignon, and the king of Aragon is there. And all other reports which were in divers places, whereof you have knowledge, I cannot send you at the writing hereof. Right dear lord, other thing I know not to send unto you, save that you bear it in mind to send news to my lord the soonest that in any way you well can. Right dear lord, our Lord grant you a good life and long. Written at Libourne, the twenty-second day of January [1356]."

"Tres chier sire et tres fiable amy, endroit des novells puis vostre departir, voilletz savoir qe y sount pris et renduz V villes encloses, cest assavoir: Port seint Marie, Cleyrak, Tonynges, Burgh seynt Piere, Chastiel Satrat et Brassak; et XVIJ chastels, cest aesavoir: Coiller, Buset, Levynak, IJ chastels appellez Boloygnes, qe sount bien pres lun de lautre, Mounjoye, Viressch, Frechenet, Mountoundre, Pusdechales, Mounpoun, Mountanak, Valeclare, Benavaunt, Lystrak, Plasak, Contdestablison, et Moun Ryvel. Et voilez savoir qe mounsire Johan Chaundos, mouneire James Daudele, et vos geantz ge sount ovesqe eaux, et les aultres Gascoignes ge sount en lour companie, et monsire Baldewyn Botort et cele companie, et mounsire Renaud Cobham, pristrent la dite ville qad a noun Chastel Satrat par assaut, et le bastard de Lyle, qe feust capitan de la dite ville, feust tue, auxi come ils assaillerent, qe feust ferru od une saete parmy la teste. Et mounsire Renaud est retourne arere vers Lanedak, et mounsire Baudewin vers Brassak, od lour companye, et mounsire Joban et mounsire James et ceaux de lour companye sount demurrer en Chastiel Sacret et ount assets de toutes maners vivres entre cy et le Seint Johan, si ne soit de pessoun fres et chowes, com nous ount mande par lour lettres. Sur quey y ne covent pas qe vous pensez de vos bones geantz. Et sount en celle ville plus qe CCC gleyves et de CCC servauntz et CL archiers. Et ount chivache devaunt Agente, et ars et destruitz toutz lours molyns, et auxi ount debrusee et ars lours pountz ge aloient oultre Gerounde, et ount pris un chastel hors de la dite ville et le ount establi. Et mounsire Johan Dermynak et le seneschal Dagenoys, qestoient en la ville Dagente, ne voillent une foitz butere hora lour teste ne nules de lor geantz; unqore ount ils este devaunt la dite ville IJ foitz. Et mounsire Busgaund estoit venuz et monsire Ernald Despaigne et Grymotoun de Chambule, od CCC gleyves et CCC servauntz Lombardes, et sount en la ville de Musschak gest en Cressy, et nest forsqe une lien de Chastiel Sacret et une lieu de Brassak. Et vous purrets bien penser gil avera illeqes bone companie pur assaier chescun compeignoun anltre. Et voillets savoir qe mounsire Barthelemen est a Coinak ou VJ^xx hommes darmes del hostiel mounseignur et VJ^xx archiers, et la capitan de la Buche, le sire Mounferraunt et le seignur de Cortoin, qount bien ovesqe eaux CCC gleyves et VJ^xx archiers et CC servauutz, et sount en Tailborugh, Tanney, et Rocheforde dez geantz darmes; issint qils pount bien estre, qaunt ils sount ensemble, DC gleyves. Et a fesaunce du cestes estoient hors sur une chivache vers Aungo et Peyto. Et les countes de Suthfolk, Doxunforde, et de Salusbury, le sire do Mussendene, mounsire Elys de Pomers, et aultres Gascoignes ovesqe eaux, ge sount bien plus qe D gleyves, et CC servauntz et CCC archiers, et estoient a fesance du cests vers lez parties de Nostre Dame de Rochemade, et ount este hors plus qe XIIJ jours, et nestoient revenuz au departier du cestes. Mounsire Johan Chaundos, mounsire James et mounsire Baudewyn et ceaux qe sount en lor companye sount auxi hors sur une chivache devers lour parties. Mounsire Renaud et ceaux de mesoun, od lez Gascoignes qe sount en lor companye, sount auxi hors en une chivache vers lours parties. Le counte de Warewik aad este a Tonynges et a Clerak, an prendre ycelles villes; et est a fesaunce du cestes devers Mermande, pur destruire lours vives et tout aultre chose qil purra destruire de eaux. Mounseignur est a Leybourne, et le sire de Pomers a Frensak, qe nest qe un quarter dun lieu de Leybourne. Et lez geantz moun. seignur gisoient auxi bien a Seint Milioun come a Leybourne. Et mounsire Berard de Bret est illeosqes ovesqe lui. Et mounseignur gaite novells le quels y¢ deyt aver, et, solone lez novels qil avera, il se tretera od il semble qe mieltz soit pur son honur. Au fesaunce du cestes le counte Dermynak estoit a Avinoun, et le roy Daragon est illesqes. Et toutz aultres parlaunces qe fusrent en diverses lieus, dont vous en avetz conisaunce, jeo ne vous say mander a fesaunce du cestes. Tres chier sire, anltre chose ne vous say mander, meas ge vous pensetz denvoier novels a mounseignur a le pluistot come en nulle manere bonement purretz. Tres chier sire, nostre Seignur vous doigne bone vie et longe. Escrite a Leybourne, le XXIJ jour de Janever."

In 1360 John Chandos (age 40) was created Knight Banneret.

On 31st December 1369 John Chandos (age 49) was killed. Chandos' force retreated towards the bridge across the Vienne at Lussac-les-Châteaux, along the route to Poitiers through Chauvigny. The French, unaware of their presence, had decided to follow the same route to harass any English troops. The adversaries met at the bridge of Lussac. In the battle, Chandos' long coat made him slip on the frost. James de Saint-Martin, a squire in the house of Sir Bagnac (or Guillaume Boitel, according to Paul Hay du Chastelet) struck Chandos with his lance, piercing his face below the eye. Chandos' uncle Edward Twyford, standing over his wounded nephew, repulsed the attackers. One of his squires pierced both legs of James Saint-Martin with his sword; Saint-Martin died three days later at Poitiers. John Chandos was carried on a large shield to Morthemer, the nearest English fortress. He was buried at Les Aubeniaux, Mazerolles where there is a monument.

Archaeologia Volume 20 Section 5. Account of the Tomb of Sir John Chandos, Knt. A.D. 1370, at Civauux a hamlet on the Vienne, in France; by Samuel Rush Meyrick (age 40), LL. D. F.S.A. In a Letter addressed to Henry Ellis, Esq. F. R. S. Secretary. Read 5th April 1821.

Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke. Then the prince proceeded into France, taking his course through the regions of Limousin and Bearn. Like a good bishop, the prince exhorted his men, who were to march against the enemy, not to scatter about unarmed, but to clothe both their bodies with bodily armour and their souls with the sacraments of Penance and the Eucharist, so that they might be prepared to fight against those rebelling against the king's peace, to live with temporal honour, to die with eternal reward, and in both cases to be victorious and rewarded. He did not neglect the tactics of a wise commander, who must measure the outcome of events and guard against dangers to his men. So, having sent forward the noble men John Chandos, James Audley, and others skilled in the military art to reconnoiter the condition of the enemy's land, lest ambushes might suddenly spring forth upon the unprepared, he himself took care, once the roads were scouted, to move camp daily. He ensured that the camp was fortified each night as though the enemy were nearby, established careful watchmen, personally made rounds with his stronger companions, sometimes leading the vanguard, at other times riding in the rear, and occasionally placing himself in the centre, to ensure that nothing disordered might expose his army to danger.

Exinde processit princeps in Franciam, directus per plagas Limovi censem et Bernensem. More boni antistitis suos hortabatur princeps progressuros in hostes, non inermes palari, set corpora corporeis arma mentis et animos penitencie Eukaristieque sacramentis ita decorari, ut contra rebelles regie paci dimicaturi parati forent, honoure temporali viventes et eternali morientes at utrobique vincentes premiari. Nec pretermisit artes prudentis imperatoris, cuius refert exitus rerum metiri et precavere pericula suorum; set, premissis illustribus viris Iohanne Chaundos, Jacobo Dawdelye et eorum complicibus in arte tironica sufficienter expertis, ad discooperiendum statum patrie hostilis, ne forsan insidie inboscatorum nostris inprovisis repente prosiluissent, ipse curavit, prospectis itineribus, cotidie movere castra, nec aliter quam si hostes affuissent de nocte munire, vigilias solicitas constituere, et eas ipsum valencioribus comitantibus circuire, procedencia vero quandoque in primis, alias in postremis, et nonnunquam intermedius visitare, ne quicquam inordinatum periculo pateret.