1425-1435 Loire Campaign of Joan of Arc is in 15th Century Events.
Following the Battle of Verneuil at which John Stewart 2nd Earl Buchan, brother of Murdoch Stewart 2nd Duke Albany [aged 63] and key ally of the Albany Stewarts, was killed, King James I of Scotland [aged 30] felt able to take action against the Albany Stewarts for their protracted regency whilst James was hostage in England.
Before 18th May 1425 Murdoch Stewart 2nd Duke Albany [aged 63] and his younger son Alexander Stewart were arrested and confined in St Andrew's Castle then moved to Caerlaverock Castle [Map]. His wife was arrested at the family's home of Doune Castle and imprisoned at Tantallon Castle.
Murdoch's son James "Fat aka Seamas Mòr" Stewart led the men of Lennox and Argyll in open rebellion against the crown. He attacked and burned the burgh of Dumbarton with much loss of life.
On 18th May 1425 Murdoch Stewart 2nd Duke Albany [aged 63], his two sons Walter Stewart [aged 25] and Alexander Stewart, and Duncan Lennox 8th Earl Lennox [aged 80] were tried at Stirling Castle [Map] in the presence of King James I of Scotland [aged 30].
The jury which condemned them was composed of 21 knights and peers, including Albany's half-uncle Walter Stewart 1st Earl Atholl 3rd Earl Caithness [aged 65], first cousin Alexander Stewart 1st Earl of Mar [aged 50], first cousins once-removed Archibald Douglas 2nd Duke Touraine [aged 35], and Alexander, Earl of Ross and Lord of the Isles.
On 24th May 1425 Alexander Stewart and Duncan Lennox 8th Earl Lennox [aged 80] were beheaded at Heading Hill at Stirling Castle.
On 25th May 1425 Murdoch Stewart 2nd Duke Albany [aged 63] and his son Walter Stewart [aged 25] were beheaded at Heading Hill at Stirling Castle.
On 19th May 1426, Whitsunday, King Henry VI of England and II of France [aged 4] was knighted by his uncles John Lancaster 1st Duke Bedford [aged 36] and Humphrey Lancaster 1st Duke Gloucester [aged 35] at Leicester, Leicestershire [Map]. Henry then went on to knight Ralph Longford [aged 25], Thomas Courtenay 5th or 13th Earl Devon [aged 12] and Robert Wingfield [aged 23].
Chronicle of Enguerrand de Monstrelet [1400-1453]. Soon afterward, sir Thomas fixed his quarters in a small town, called St James de Beuvron, which had been destroyed; but he had it repaired and refortified to serve him as a post to carry on the war against the Bretons, for it was but half a league from their country. Sir Thomas was deputy to the earl of Suffolk, the governor of lower Normandy, and thence he led the English on different excursions through Brittany, carrying on a severe warfare. The duke, to oppose them, assembled a large force of his nobles, whom he gave in charge to his brother the count de Richemont, lately made constable of France. The count led them straight to St James de Beuvron, which he instantly besieged, and commenced his operations with a grand skirmish. Having surrounded it on all sides, he established his quarters, and had his engines pointed against the walls, which greatly damaged them. He attacked the place by storm [on 6th March 1427], which lasted for a considerable time very sharply. A party of Bretons from the lower parts of the duchy had been posted below the town, near to a pond; and to get near the walls, it was necessary to cross the head of this pond, which was very narrow. There was beside it a small bulwark under the command of an english knight, sir Nicholas Bourdet, having with him from sixty to eighty combatants, and near to it was one of the town-gates well guarded by the English. When these Bretons were descending the ditch in great numbers to attack the walls, they heard on each side of them the English shouting, 'Salisbury! Suffolk!' which threw the Bretons into great confusion. Sir Nicholas, seizing the opportunity of their dismay, vigorously fell on them, and, meeting scarcely any defence, put to death or drowned in the pond from seven to eight hundred, and made about fifty prisoners. The English won eighteen standards, and one banner. News of this defeat was speedily carried to the count, who was storming the town on the opposite side. He was much hurt at the intelligence, and ordered the retreat to be sounded, for the siege had been raised on the other side of the place. When the count had collected his men together, he held a council on what should now be done, and it was resolved, that considering the great loss they had sustained, it would be prudent to march away, which was carried into effect; but he waited until midnight, when he returned to the town of Fougeres in a disorderly manner, leaving behind great quantities of provision, stores, bombards, and other artillery. Sir Thomas, with his six hundred men, for he had no more, and the greater part of them were wounded, remained in the town very much rejoiced at his good fortune; and he caused all the things the enemy had left behind them to be brought thither. Two days after this affair, the earl of Suffolk joined sir Thomas with fifteen hundred combatants, whom the latter conducted with some of his own men, to a strong monastery that soon surrendered. The earl thence advanced farther into the country, toward the city of Dol, with the intent to reside there. In the mean time, the duke of Brittany sent a poursuivant with letters to the earl, to request that he would consent to a suspension of arms, according to the inclosed terms, which being agreed to, he remanded sir Thomas and his men, who returned to St James de Beauvron with a very rich booty.
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In 1428 Parliament Passes a Bill to Prevent Catherine of Valois Marrying without the consent of the King. The Bill appears to be in response to rumours that Catherine of Valois Queen Consort England [aged 26] and Edmund Beaufort 1st or 2nd Duke of Somerset [aged 22] were having an affair, and were planning to marry.
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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On 12th October 1428 the Siege of Orléans commenced at Orléans. During the course of the siege Thomas Montagu 1st Count Perche 4th Earl Salisbury [aged 40] and Jean Poton Xaintrailles [aged 38] were wounded. William "Jackanapes" de la Pole 1st Duke of Suffolk [aged 31] commanded the English forces during some of the siege.
On 8th May 1429 Joan of Arc [aged 17] led the French army to successfully relieve the Siege of Orléans.
On 3rd November 1428 Thomas Montagu 1st Count Perche 4th Earl Salisbury [aged 40] died from wounds received at the Siege of Orléans. His daughter Alice [aged 21] succeeded 5th Countess Salisbury, 4th Baroness Montagu, 7th Baroness Montagu, 6th Baroness Monthermer. Richard Neville Earl Salisbury [aged 28] by marriage Earl Salisbury.
Chronicle of Enguerrand de Monstrelet [1400-1453]. [3rd November 1428]. And then, while he [Thomas Montagu 1st Count Perche 4th Earl Salisbury [aged 40]] was at the said window, suddenly from the said city, with a rush, came the stone of a cannon1, which struck the window where the said count was, who, already withdrawing inside from the noise of the shot, nevertheless was struck very grievously and mortally by the said stone, and had a large part of his face carried away completely, and a gentleman who was nearby was killed outright by the same shot. For which wound of the said count, all his men generally had great sadness in their hearts, for he was greatly esteemed and loved by them, and they held him to be the most subtle, experienced, and fortunate in arms of all the other princes and captains of the kingdom of England. However, he, thus wounded, lived the space of eight days, and after he had summoned all his captains and admonished them on behalf of the King of England that they should continue to bring the city of Orleans into obedience without any dissimulation, he had himself carried to Meun, and there died after eight days from the said wound.
Et lors, luy estant à ladicte fenestre, vint soudainement de ladite cité, à volant, la pierre d'ung veuglaire1, qui féri la fenestre où estoit ledit conte, lequel, desjà pour le bruit du cop se retiroit dedens, nient mains il fut aconsuy très griefment et mortellement de ladicte fenestre, et eut grant partie de son visage emporté tout jus, et ung gentil homme qui estoit d'alès luy fut d'ycelui cop tué tout mort. Pour laquelle bléceure dudit conte, tous ses gens généralment eurent au cuer grand tristesce, car d'eulx il estoit moult crému et amé, et le tenoit pour le plus subtil, expert et eureux en armes de tous les autres princes et capitaines du royaume d'Angleterre. Toutefois, il, ainsy blécié, vesqui l'espace de huit jours, et après ce qu'il eust mandé tous ses capitaines et à yceulx admonesté de par le roy d'Angleterre qu'ilz continuassent à mettre en obéyssance ycelle ville d'Orliens sans quelque dissimulacion, il se fist porter à Meun, et là morut au bout de huit jours de sadicte bléceure.
Note 1. veuglaire i.e. cannon. The Veuglaire, after a gun manufacturer named Vögler, was a wrought iron cannon, and part of the artillery of France in the Middle Ages.
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On 8th May 1429 William Moleyns [aged 23] died at the Siege of Orléans.
On 12th February 1429 John Fastolf [aged 49] was at Rouvray leading a supply train of some 300 carts of crossbows, cannons, etc and also barrels of herrings to Orléans. A force of 400 strong Scottish cavalry led by Charles Bourbon I Duke Bourbon [aged 28] and John Stewart of Darnley 1st Count Évreux [aged 49] attacked the supply train and were destroyed by English archers protected by supply wagons. John Stewart of Darnley 1st Count Évreux was killed. He was buried at Orléans Cathedral.
Chronicle of Jean de Waurin Books 3-5 [1400-1474]. And there came thither some French captains to fight him, who for a good while before were well aware of his coming, such as Charles duke of Bourbon [aged 28], the two marshals of France, the constable of Scotland [aged 49] and his son [aged 23], the lord of La Tour, the lord of Chauvigny, the lord of Graville, sir William d'Albret, the viscount of Thouars, the bastard of Orléans, sir James de Chabannes, the lord of La Fayette, Pothon de Saintrailles, La Hire, sir Théaulde de Valpergue and many other noble men, who all together were from three to four thousand combatants of good stuff. Of their coming the said English were informed beforehand by some of their men who were in garrison thereabouts in the fortresses holding their party, on account of which news these English, like men full of confidence, put themselves in good order with great diligence [on 12th February 1429], and with their waggons formed a large enclosure in the open fields in which they left two entrances open, and there all together they placed themselves in the manner following, that is to say, the archers guarding those entrances and the men-at-arms very near in the necessary places; and on one of the sides in the strongest place were the merchants, waggoners, pages, and other people with little power of defence, with the horses and mares.
In the way you have heard the English waited for their enemies for the space of full two hours, who came with great tumult and formed themselves in battle array before the said enclosure out of reach of the arrows; and it seemed to them, considering their noble quality and their great number, and that they had only to do with men gathered from many levies, of whom but from five to six hundred were English, natives of the country of England, that they could not escape from their hands, but would be very soon vanquished; nevertheless there were some wise persons who had great doubt lest the contrary should happen to them, especially because the intentions of the said French captains were not well accordant one with the other, for some, especially the Scots, wished to fight on foot, and others wished to remain on horseback.
There were made new knights, by the hand of the lord of La Fayette. Charles de Bourbon and some others; but meanwhile the said constable of Scotland, his son and his men dismounted and then very shortly they went to attack their enemies, some on foot and others on horseback, and were received by them very courageously; and their archers who were very well shielded by their waggons began to shoot very sharply, in such manner that at the onset they made their enemies fall back before them, fully two to three hundred horsemen who had come to fight at one of the entrances of the said enclosure. And there the said constable of Scotland, thinking he was well followed up by the French, was discomfited and slain on the spot1, with him died his son and sir William d'Albret, the lord of Orval, the lord of Chasteau-Brun, the lord of Monpipel, sir John de Larget, the lord of Verduisant, the lord of Yvri, the lord of La Greve, sir Anthony de Prully, and full six score gentlemen, and others to the number of five hundred combatants or more, much the greater part of whom were Scots: the other captains seeing this departed thence and went away, flying in great confusion, so that one did not wait for another, and they returned to the places whence they had come. And the English, filled with very great gladness on account of the fair victory that they had gained with so little loss, praised their Creator aloud, and then, after the dead were despoiled, they refreshed themselves and rested that night in the said village of Rouvray, and on the next day departing thence sir John Fastolf and all his men, of whom he was supreme captain, took the road towards Orléans, and they and their waggons made such good progress that a few days after, exhibiting great joy, they arrived at the siege, where they were received with great gladness by their people, who, when they knew of their good fortune, heartily praised God for it, making a great noise with trumpets and clarions, and they were also very well refreshed by the victuals which they brought to them: and the said conflict from that day forward was commonly named the battle of the Herrings, and the reason of this name was because a great part of the waggons of the said English were loaded with herrings and other victuals for Lent. For this ill fortune of the French which had thus befallen, king Charles was very sad at heart, seeing that on all sides his affairs turned out contrary to his desire, and continued going on from bad to worse.
This battle of the Herrings happened on the eve of Behourdis about three o'clock in the afternoon; and on the side of the English there died, of people of name, but one single man called Besautrau, a very handsome esquire and valiant man in arms, a nephew of sir Simon Morhier, provost of Paris; and there were made knights among the English, Le Gallois Damay lord of Orville, Gerard Kollin, and Louis de Lurieu, a Savoyard. And the said English might be about sixteen hundred combatants of good stuff besides the common people, and the French were six thousand men, all trained and expert in arms; many noble men also were made knights there with the duke of Bourbon, all of whose names I have not been able to learn, except those which follow, that is to say, the lord of Chasteau-Brun and Yvonet de Clichon; and there were no prisoners but one Scot. Thus then as you have heard sir John Fastolf master of the household of the regent arrived gloriously at the siege before Orléans with a great quantity of provisions and other things necessary for those who were at the said siege, the account of which we will leave until it be the time to return to it.
Note 1. M.S. H. adds that the constable's name was sir John Stuart,
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Around 8th March 1429 Joan of Arc [aged 17] met with Charles "Victorious" VII King France [aged 26] at Chinon Castle [Map]. Their first meeting.
The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy
The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.
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On 11th May 1429 following her success at Orléans Joan of Arc [aged 17] met Charles "Victorious" VII King France [aged 26] at the Royal Lodge, Loches where she persuaded him to be crowned at Reims Cathedral.
On 11th June 1429 Joan of Arc [aged 17] and Jean Poton Xaintrailles [aged 39] fought at Jargeau, Loiret during the Battle of Jargeau. Alexander Pole was killed. William "Jackanapes" de la Pole 1st Duke of Suffolk [aged 32] surrendered.
On 15th June 1429 Joan of Arc [aged 17] and Jean Poton Xaintrailles [aged 39] fought at Meung-sur-Loire, Loiret during the Battle of Meung sur Loire capturing the bridge over the Loire.
On 17th June 1429 Joan of Arc [aged 17] and Jean Poton Xaintrailles [aged 39] fought in the Battle of Beaugency at Loiret.
On 18th June 1429 the Battle of Patay was the final engagement of the Loire Campaign of the Hundred Years War. The French forces commanded by Joan of Arc [aged 17], Étienne Vignolles "La Hire" and Jean Poton Xaintrailles [aged 39] defeated an English force of 5000. The English lost around 2000 men with Thomas Scales 7th Baron Scales [aged 32], Thomas Rempston [aged 40], and John "Old Talbot" Talbot 1st Earl of Shrewsbury [aged 46] being captured. John Fastolf [aged 49] fought.
In 1429 Bernard Armagnac fought at Battle of Patay.
On 17th July 1429 Charles "Victorious" VII King France [aged 26] was crowned at Reims Cathedral by Cardinal Regnault de Chartres [aged 49] with Joan of Arc [aged 17] present.
Guy 14th de Laval Count [aged 23], who was present, was created Count Laval.
On 6th November 1429 King Henry VI of England and II of France [aged 7] was crowned VI King of England by Cardinal Henry Beaufort [aged 54] at Westminster Abbey [Map]. Richard Beauchamp 13th Earl Warwick [aged 47] carried the child King. John Mowbray 3rd Duke of Norfolk [aged 14] attended. John Beaumont 1st Viscount Beaumont [aged 20] was knighted.
Henrici Quinti, Angliæ Regis, Gesta, is a first-hand account of the Agincourt Campaign, and subsequent events to his death in 1422. The author of the first part was a Chaplain in King Henry's retinue who was present from King Henry's departure at Southampton in 1415, at the siege of Harfleur, the battle of Agincourt, and the celebrations on King Henry's return to London. The second part, by another writer, relates the events that took place including the negotiations at Troye, Henry's marriage and his death in 1422.
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On 23rd May 1430 Joan of Arc [aged 18] was captured during the Siege of Compiègne. John Luxemburg II Count Ligny [aged 38] commanded the rear-guard. Philip "Good" Valois III Duke Burgundy [aged 33] fought.
On 11th June 1430 Edmund Tudor 1st Earl Richmond was born to Owen Tudor [aged 30] and Catherine of Valois Queen Consort England [aged 28] at Much Hadham Palace, Hertfordshire (which belonged to the Bishops of London). There was speculation [Source Unknown?] that the biological father was Edmund Beaufort 1st or 2nd Duke of Somerset [aged 24] with whom Catherine of Valois Queen Consort England was rumoured to have had an affair. Interesting, perhaps, that he was named Edmund rather than Owen. Interesting that he took the Royal Arms of England differenced. Also interesting that his younger brother was named Jasper; a Persian name meaning 'Keeper of the Treasure' or 'bringer of treasure' that was unknown in England before his birth. He married 1st November 1455 his half fourth cousin once removed Margaret Beaufort Countess Richmond, daughter of John Beaufort 1st Duke of Somerset and Margaret Beauchamp Duchess Somerset, and had issue.
On 9th January 1431 Joan of Arc [aged 19] was tried at Rouen Castle [Map]. John Lancaster 1st Duke Bedford [aged 41] and Henry Beauchamp 1st Duke Warwick [aged 5] were present.
On 30th May 1431 Joan of Arc [aged 19] was burned at the stake witnessed by Cardinal Henry Beaufort [aged 56] at the Old Market Place, Rouen [Map].
Chronicle of Gregory. 23 May 1431. Ande the xxiij day of May the Pusylle [aged 19] was brent at Rone [Map], and that was a pon Corpus Crysty evyn. [Note. The date here one week out; should be 30th May 1431]
On 3rd October 1431 Thomas Beaufort Count Perche [aged 26] was killed at Louviers, Eure, Haute Normandie during the Siege of Louviers.
On 16th December 1431 Henry VI [aged 10] was crowned II King France: Lancaster at Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral [Map] by Cardinal Henry Beaufort [aged 56]. A somewhat futile exercise; the last gasps of the Hundred Years War. The ceremony had been arranged by John Lancaster 1st Duke Bedford [aged 42]. His wife Anne Valois Duchess of Bedford [aged 27] attended.
Walter Hungerford 1st Baron Hungerford [aged 53] was appointed Carver.
Thomas Harrington [aged 31], Richard Archer [aged 44], Hugh Courtenay 4th or 12th Earl Devon and his son Thomas [aged 17] attended.
Chronicle of Gregory. 13th December 1431. And the xiij day of the same monythe he was crownyde at Parysse; for there he was worthely and ryally ressayvyd as they cowthe devyse whythe alle the statys of the towne. And there he hylde his feste raylly to alle maner of nacyons that were in that contre, that yf it plesyde them thedyr for to come. And in Syn Johnys day in the Crystysmasse weke the King remevyd towarde Roone [Map], and on the xij evyn he come unto Calys. Ande the xxix day of Janyver he londyd at Dovyr [Map].
Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
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On 22nd April 1433 John Duke Bedford [aged 43] and Jacquetta Luxemburg [aged 18] were married at Thérouanne [Map]. She by marriage Duchess Bedford. The difference in their ages was 25 years. She the daughter of Peter Luxemburg I Count Saint Pol [aged 43] and Margherita Baux [aged 39]. He the son of King Henry IV of England and Mary Bohun. They were half fifth cousins. She a great x 5 granddaughter of King Henry III of England.
The marriage caused a rift with Philip "Good" Duke Burgundy [aged 36], John's late wife's brother, who regarded the marriage, some five months after his sister's death, an insult to her memory. There was no issue from the marriage with John dying a year and a half later.
Chronicle of Gregory. 22nd April 1433. And the same year the Duke of Bedforde [aged 43], and Regyant of Fraunce, weddyde the dukys [aged 43]1 daughter [aged 18] of Syn Powle the xxij2 day at Tyruyn [Map]3.
Note 1. He was Count Saint Pol rather than Duke.
Note 2. of April.
Note 3. Thérouanne [Map].
On 9th May 1435 a French force commanded by Étienne Vignolles "La Hire" heavily defeated an English force commanded by John Fitzalan 7th or 14th Earl of Arundel [aged 27] at the Battle of Gerberoy.
On 12th June 1435 John Fitzalan 7th or 14th Earl of Arundel was captured and died from wounds received at the battle. His son Humphrey [aged 6] succeeded 8th ot 15th Earl Arundel, 5th Baron Maltravers, 5th Baron Arundel.
Richard Woodville 1st Earl Rivers [aged 30] fought.
Chronicle of Gregory. 12th June 1435. And that same year was slayne the Erle of Arundelle [aged 27] in France.
On 14th September 1435 John Lancaster 1st Duke Bedford [aged 46] died at Rouen Castle [Map] without legitimate issue. Duke Bedford, Duke Bedford, Earl Kendal and Earl Richmond extinct. Humphrey Lancaster 1st Duke Gloucester [aged 44] became heir to the throne.
Chronicle of Gregory. 14th September 1435. Ande that same year, the xiiij day of Septembyr, deyde the Duke of Bedforde [aged 46], Regaunte of alle Fraunce, in the castelle of Rone [Map], bytwyne ij and iij in the mornynge; and his body is buryde in Nostre Dame Chyrche of Roone [Map]. And of his soule ande alle Crystyn soulys God have marcy, Amen.
In September 1435 the Congress and Treaty of Arras was one of the last treaties of the Hundred Years War effectively bringing English rule in France to an end following the successful campaign of Joan of Arc five years earlier, the death of John Lancaster 1st Duke Bedford [aged 46] and the changing of sides of John "Fearless" Valois Duke Burgundy from England to France.