Battle of Patay is in 1425-1435 Loire Campaign of Joan of Arc.
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 but managed to escape.
Bernard Armagnac fought at Battle of Patay.
Chronicle of Enguerrand de Monstrelet [1400-1453]. The army was then drawn up in battle-array [on 18th June 1429], and advanced slowly, for they had dispatched sixty or eighty of their most expert men at arms, mounted on the fleetest horses, to reconnoitre the country and gain intelligence of the enemy. They thus marched for some time, until they came within half a league of a large village called Pataye. The men at arms who had been sent to reconnoitre put up a stag, which ran straight for the army of the English, who were assembling their men together, namely those who had come from Paris, as has been mentioned, and those who had marched from Beaugency,—and the English, seeing the stag dash through them, set up a loud shout, not knowing the enemy was so near: but this shout satisfied the scouts where the English were, and a moment afterward they saw them quite plain.
They sent back some of their companions with intelligence of what they had seen, and they desired that the army might advance in order of battle, for the hour of business was at hand. They immediately made every preparation with great courage, and were soon in sight of the enemy.
The English, observing the French advance, made also their preparations with diligence for the combat. Some of the captains proposed that they should dismount where they then were, and take advantage of the hedge rows to prevent being surprised on their rear; but others were of a contrary opinion, and said they should be better off on the plain. In consequence they retreated about half a quarter of a league from their former position, which was full of hedges and bushes. The French were very eager to come up with them; and the greater part dismounted, turning their horses loose.
The vanguard of the French were impatient for the attack, having lately found the English very slack in their defence, and made so sudden and violent a charge that they were unable to form themselves in proper order. Sir John Fastolfe and the bastard de Thian had not dismounted, and, to save their lives they, with many other knights, set off full gallop.
In the mean time those who had dismounted were surrounded by the French before they had time to fortify themselves, as usual, with sharp pointed stakes in their front; and, without doing any great mischief to the French, they were soon completely defeated.
About eighteen hundred English were left dead on the field, and from one hundred to six score made prisoners, the principal of whom were the lords Scales, Talbot, Hungerford, sir Thomas Rampstone and several more. Some of the great lords were killed, and the rest were people of low degree, of the same sort as those whom they were accustomed to bring from their own country to die in France.
When the business was over, which was about two o'clock in the afternoon, all the french captains assembled together, and devoutly and humbly returned thanks to their Creator for the victory. They were very gay on their good fortune and lodged that night in the village of Pataye, which is two leagues distant from Anville in Beauce; and this battle will bear the name of that town for ever.
Chronique de Perceval de Cagny. The Battle of Patay
On Saturday, the 18th day of the said month of June 1429, while the English who had surrendered were being put out of the place of Beaugency, news came to the Maid and to the Duke of Alençon that, during the past night, the said Talbot and Fastolf had come to Meung to fetch the Lord Scales and those of the garrison of Meung, who abandoned the place and were all going together straight towards Janville.
At about eight o’clock in the morning, the Maid, the Duke of Alençon, and the whole company had gone out into the fields, thinking that they would have battle. And when they learned that the English were going away, they ordered their vanguard and their main battle, and in order drew after the English and overtook them near the village of Patay, about five leagues from the said place of Beaugency.
When the English saw the company that was following them, they took up a field, and there set themselves in order and in battle array, almost all on foot. The vanguard of our men struck into them, and immediately the main battle joined with them; and, with scarcely any resistance, the English turned to rout and flight. In that battle two to three thousand English were put to death; and among the prisoners were the Lords Talbot and Scales, the son of the Earl of ...., and four to five hundred other Englishmen. The Maid, the Duke of Alençon, the Constable of France, the Count of Vendôme, and the whole company lodged in the said village of Patay and in the surrounding area.
La bataille de Patay.
Le samedi xviij jour dudit mois de juing m CCCC XXIX, en metant hors de la place de Baugency les Englois qui se estoient rendus, vindrent nouvelles à la Pucelle et au duc d'Alcnçon que, la nuit passée, lesdiz Talebot et Fastoth estoient venuz quérir à Meun le sire d'Escales et ceulx de la garnison de Meun qui abandonnèrent la place et s'en aloient tous ensemble droit à Yanville.
Environ huit heures au matin, la Pucelle, le duc d'Alençon et toute la compaignie estoient issus aux champs, cuidant avoir la bataille. Et quant ilz sceurent que les Englois s'en aloient, ilz ordonnèrent leur avant garde et leur bataille et en ordonnance tirèrent après les Englois et les aconsurent près le village de Patay, environ v lieues dudit lieu de Baugency.
Quant les Englois avisèrent la compaignie qui les suivoit, ilz prindrent ung champ et là se midrent en ordonnance et en bataille presque touz à pié. L'avant garde de noz gens ferit dedens et incontinent la bataille joingnit avecques eulx ; et, sans gaire de resistence, les Englois tournèrent en desconfiture et en fuite. A laquelle bataille furent mis à mort de ij à iij mille Englois et de prisonniers les sires de Talebot, d'Escales, le filz au conte de et de iiij à vc autres Englois. La Pucelle, le duc d'Alençon, le conestable de France, le conte de Vendosme et toute la compaignie couchèrent audit village de Patay et aux environs.
Jean Chartier Chronique de Charles VII. Chapter 44. The Battle of Patay for the French.
[18th June 1429] About an hour after those English had departed under safe-conduct to go away, certain news came into the French host that the Englishman Lord Talbot, Lord Scales, Sir John Fastolf, and several other lords and captains of England, numbering up to four to five thousand, had passed through Janville in Beauce, in order to come straight to Meung-sur-Loire. At once horsemen were set on the road to learn the truth of this more fully; and meanwhile the said Duke of Alençon, the Count of Richemont, Constable of France, the Count of Vendôme, and the said Joan the Maid always had the said host drawn out into the fields outside the said town of Beaugency and put into battle array. Soon afterwards those horsemen returned, reporting that they had seen the said English near Meung-sur-Loire, and that those of the said town of Meung had departed from it and had left and abandoned that town of Meung, and were going away with the others. The said English were making straight for Janville in Beauce.
When this came to the knowledge of the Duke of Alençon, the Count of Richemont, Constable of France, the Count of Vendôme, the Bastard of Orléans, Joan the Maid, and the other chiefs of war and captains, it was decided to move hastily towards the place where it was said that the English were, and to fight them wherever they could find them. At once they broke up their battle formations and rode diligently, making towards a fortified church named Patay in Beauce. There the English were found and overtaken, going on foot and on horseback, and while they were still marching on their way they were found by the scouts and vanguard of the French. And by the time the battle in which were the said Lord of Alençon, the Constable of France, the Count of Vendôme, the Bastard of Orléans, Joan the Maid, and others was approaching very closely, they could plainly see the English. The English then moved out of formation in order to take up a position on the edge of a wood near a village.
At that hour the said scouts and vanguard of the French, in which were the Lord of Beaumanoir, Sir Ambroise de Loré, La Hire, Poton de Xaintrailles, and other captains, struck upon the English in such a manner that those who were on horseback, or the greater part of them, began to flee. Those on foot, who were in great number, thrust themselves into that wood and village. At that hour the French main battle arrived, and finally the English were defeated. There were about two to three thousand of them dead, and a great number of prisoners. Lord Talbot, Lord Scales, Sir Walter Hungerford, and several other great lords of England were taken there. The pursuit lasted as far as Janville in Beauce. That town of Janville, which had been held by the said English, was at that hour surrendered and placed in the obedience of the King of France, together with several other fortresses of the said country of Beauce. Sir John Fastolf and several Englishmen who were able to escape from the affair returned to Corbeil. And the aforesaid French lodged the following night at the said place of Patay.
Chapitre 44. La bataille de Patay pour les François .
Et environ une heure après que iceulx Angloiz se furent partiz à saufconduit pour eulx en aller , vint certaines nouvelles en l'ost des François que le sire de Tallebot , Anglois , le sire de Scalles , Messire Jehan Fastol et plussieurs autres seigneurs et cappitaines d'Angleterre , jucques au nombre de quatre à cinq mille , estoient passez par Yemville en Beausse , pour venir droit à Meun sur Loire . Et tantost furent mis chevaucheurs en chemin pour savoir de ce la vérité plus applain , et toujours faisoient tirer ledit duc d'Alençon , le conte de Richemont , connestable de France , le conte de Vandosme ' , et ladite Jehanne la Pucelle , ledit ost aux champs hors de ladite ville de Baugency et mettre en bataille . Et tantost après revindrent iceulx chevaucheurs ; lesquelz raportèrent que ilz avoient veuz iceulx Angloiz près de Meun sur Loire , et que ceulx de ladite ville de Meun s'en estoient partiz , et avoient laissé et habandonné icelle ville de Meun , et s'en alloient avecquez les autres . Lesquelz Angloiz tiroient droit à Yemville en Beausse .
Et ce venu à la congnoessance du duc d'Alençon , le conte de Richemont , connestable de France , le conte de Vandosme , le bastard d'Orléans , Jehanne la Pucelle et autres chiefz de guerre et cappitaines , fut conclud retirer hastivement celle part où que on disoit que iceulx Angloiz estoient , et les combatre quelque part qu'ilz les peussent trouver . Et tantost desplacèrent les batailles et chevauchèrent dilliganment en tirant vers une église forte nommée Patay en Beausse , et là furent trouvez et aconçuz iceulx Angloiz qui s'en alloient à pié et à cheval , et en marchant tousjours leur chemin furent trouvés par les coureurs et avangarde des François . Et tant que en la bataille où estoient lesditz sire d'Alençon , le connestable de France , le conte de Vandosme , le bastard d'Orléans , Jehanne la Pucelle et autres , aprochoient très fort et là povoient bien veoir les Angloiz . Lesquelz Angloiz se desmarchèrent pour prendre place en l'orée d'un bois emprès un village , et à celle heure lesditz coureurs et avant garde des François , en laquelle estoient le sire de Beaumanoir , Messire Ambrois de Loré , la Hire , Poston de Sentrailles et autres cappitaines , férirent sur iceulx Angloiz en telle manière que iceulx qui estoient à cheval , ou la plus grant partie d'iceulx , se prindrent à fuir . Et ceulx à pié , lesquelz estoient en grant nombre , se boutèrent dedens icellui bois et village .
Et à icelle heure ariva la bataille des François , et finablement furent iceux Angloiz desconfitz . Et y en eult environ de deux à trois mille de mors , et de prisonniers grant nombre . Et y furent prins le sire de Tallebot , le sire de Scalles , Messire Gaultier de Hongrefort et plussieurs autres grans seigneurs d'Angleterre . Et dura la chasse jucques à Yemville en Beausse . Laquelle ville de Yenville estoit tenue par lesdits Angloiz , et fut d'icelle heure rendue et mise en l'obéissance du roy de France , avecques plussieurs autres forteresses dudit pays de Beauce . Et se retournèrent Messire Jehan Fastol et plussieurs Angloiz qui peurent eschapper de la besongne à Corbeil . Et les François dessus ditz couchèrent la nuyt ensuivante audit lieu de Patay.
Journal of the Siege of Orleans. [18th June 1429] And because the Maid and several lords did not wish the main battle to be moved from its position, they selected La Hire, Poton, Jamet de Tilloy, Sir Ambroise de Loré, Thibaut de Termes, and other valiant men-at-arms on horseback, both from the men of the Lord of Beaumanoir and from others who joined their company. They were given the task of riding out and skirmishing before the English, in order to hold them back and prevent them from withdrawing to a strong place, which they did. More than this, they struck into them with such boldness that, although they were only fourteen to fifteen hundred fighting men, they threw the English into disorder and defeat, notwithstanding that the English were more than four thousand fighting men. Of these, about two thousand two hundred, both English and false Frenchmen, remained dead on the field, while the others took to flight in order to save themselves towards Janville. There the townspeople shut the gates against them, so that they were forced to flee elsewhere, at hazard. As a result, many of them were afterwards killed and taken, especially by the main battle, which had joined in the rout with the first scouts.
On that day the French gained greatly, for Lord Talbot, Lord Scales, Sir Thomas Rameston, and another captain called Hongnefort were taken there, together with several other lords and valiant men of England. On the other hand, the people of Janville did not lose by it, for many of the English, when they had passed through there thinking to go to the relief of Beaugency, had entrusted to several of them the greater part of their money for safekeeping. That same day, the people of Janville surrendered to the king and his men; and so too did a gentleman, lieutenant of the captain, who admitted the French into the great tower and swore to them that he would henceforth be good and loyal to the king. Because of the fame of this defeat, from which several escaped by flight, among others Sir John Fastolf, who saved himself in Corbeil, the men of the English garrisons in the country of Beauce, such as Montpipeau, Saint-Sigismond, and other strong and fortified places, were so frightened that they set fire to them and fled hastily.
By contrast, the hearts of the French grew stronger. They assembled from all sides at Orléans, thinking that the king would come there to arrange the journey for his coronation. He did not do so, and the people of the city, who had had it hung and adorned for him, were displeased, not considering the king’s affairs, for the conduct of which he was staying at Sully-sur-Loire. Therefore the Duke of Alençon, and all the lords and men of war who had been at the day of Patay, and from there had withdrawn to Orléans, went to him there; and especially the Maid. She spoke to him about the Constable, pointing out to him the goodwill which he showed towards the king, and the noble lords and valiant men of war whom he was bringing to him, numbering a good fifteen hundred fighting men. She prayed that he would pardon his displeasure towards him. The king did so at her request, although, out of love for the Lord of La Trémoille, who had the greatest authority about him, he would not allow the Constable to be with him on the journey to his coronation. The Maid was very displeased by this, as were several great lords, captains, and other men of the council, who knew that the Constable was sending many good and valiant men. Nevertheless, they did not dare speak of it, because they saw that the king did entirely what pleased that Lord of La Trémoille, and, to please him, would not allow the Constable to come to him. For this reason the Constable thought to employ his men of war elsewhere, since they were very desirous of following arms, and he wished to go and besiege Marchenoir, which lies between Blois and Orléans.
But when the English and Burgundians who were in garrison there were informed of this, they sent some of their men under safe-conduct to the Duke of Alençon, who negotiated with them on the king’s behalf. He gave them a period of ten days to carry away their goods, and brought it about that they promised to be good and loyal Frenchmen and to place the stronghold in the king’s hands. For greater security they gave hostages; and in return, and on these terms, the king was to pardon them all offences. After this treaty, the Duke of Alençon sent word to the Constable that he should proceed no further, and accordingly he did not. But the traitors perjured themselves. For when they learned that the Constable, through fear of whom they had made this treaty, had departed, they acted during the period of ten days so as to capture by trickery some of the Duke of Alençon’s men, and led them as prisoners into their stronghold of Marchenoir, so that they might recover their hostages. Therefore they did not surrender it, but held it as before.
Et parce que la Pucelle et plusieurs Seigneurs ne vouloient pas que la grosse bataille fust ostee de son pas: ils eufleurent la Hire, Poton, Jamet de Tilloy, Messire Ambroise de Loré, Thibaut de Termes et autres vaillans nommes d'armes à cheval, tant des gens du Seigneur de Beau-manoir, que d'autres qui se mirent en leur compagnie, et baillèrent charge d'aller courir et escarmoucher devant les Anglois, pour les retenir et garder d'eux retraire en lieu fort, ce qu'ils firent. Et outre plus: car ils se frapperent dedans eux de telle hardiesse, combien qu’ils ne feussent que de quatorze à quinze cens combattans, qui les mirent à desarroy et desconfiture, nonobstant qu’ils estoient plus de quatre mil combattans. Desquels demourerent morts sur la place, environ deux mil et deux cens, tant Anglois que faux François, et les autres se mirent à foüir, pour eux sauver vers Jenville: là où les gens de la ville leur fermerent les portes, parquoy leur convint foüir ailleurs, à l’adventure. Et parce en y eut depuis plusieurs tuez et prins, et mesmement pour la grosse bataille, qui s’estoit joint sur la desconfiture, avec les premiers coureurs. À celle journee gaignerent moult les François: car le Seigneur de Talbot, le Seigneur d’Escalles, Messire ‘Thomas Rameston et un autre Capitaine, appelé Hongnefort, y furent prins avec plusieurs autres Seigneurs et vaillans hommes d’Angleterre. Et d'autre part n’y perdirent pas ceux de Jenville: à plusieurs desquels avoient moalt des Anglois baillé en garde la plus part de leur argent, lors qu’ils y estoient passez, pour cuider aller secourir Baugency. Ce jour mesme se rendirent au Roy et à ses gens, ceux de Jenville, et si feist aussi un gentilhomme Lieutenant du Capitaine, et mist dedans la grosse tour les François, ausqucls feist serment d'estre bon et loyal. Depuis lors en avant envers le Roy, pour le renom d'icelle desconfiture, dont cschapperent plusieurs par fuitte, et entre antres Messire Jean Fascot, qui se sauva dedans Corbueil, furent tant espouvantez les gens des garnisons Anglesches, estans au pais de Beausse, comme Mont-pipeau, Sainct Sigismont et autres Places fortes et fortifiées, qu'ils y boutèrent le feu, et s'en fouirent hastivement Et par le contraire crut le cueur aux François, qui de toutes parts s'assemblèrent à Orléans, cuidans que le J\oy y deost venir, pour ordonner le voyage de son Sacre: ce qu'il ne feist, dont ceux de la cité qui l'avoient fait tendre et parer, en furent mal contens, non considérons les affaires du Roy, qui pour conduire de son estât se tenoit à Sully sur Loire. Et parce y allèrent le Duc d'Atençon, et tous les Seigneurs et gens de guerre, qui avoient esté à la journée de Pathay: et de là s'estoient retirez à Orléans. Et par especial la Pucelle, laquelle luy parla du Connectable, en lay remonstrant le bon vouloir qu'il demonstroit avoir à lay, et les nobles Seigneurs et vaillans gens de guerre, dont il luy amenoit bien quinze cens combattans: luy pria qu'il luy vousist pardonner son mal talent. Ce que le Roy feist à la requeste d'elle, combien que pour l'amour du Seigneur de la Trimoûille, qui avoit la plus grand' auctorité entour luy, ne voulut souffrir qu'il se trouvast avecques luy ou voyage de son Sacre: dont la Pucelle fut très desplaisante, et si furent plusieurs grands Seigneurs, Capitaines et autres gens du conseil, congnoissans qu'il en envoyoit beaucoup de gens de bien et de vaillans. hommes. Mais toutesfois n'en osoient parler, parce qu'ils veoient que le Roy faisoit du tout en tout ce qu'il plaisoit à celuy Seigneur de la Trimoille, pour plaire auquel ne voulut souffrir que le Connestable vint devers luy. Pourquoy il pensa emploier autre part ses gens de guerre, qui estoient fort desirans de suivir les armes, et voulut aller assiéger Marchesnoir, qui est entre Bloys et Orléans. Mais quand les Anglois et Bourgoignons y estans en garnison en furent advertis, ils envoyèrent par saufconduit aucuns d'eux devers le Duc d'AIfençon, qui traicta pour le Roy avecques eux, et leur donna espace de dix jours pour emporter leurs biens, et fist tant qu'ils promirent d'eslre bons et loyaux François, et de mettre la place -en la main du Roy, dont ils baillèrent hostages, pour plus grand'seureté. Et pour ce faire, et ce moyennant, leur devoit le Roy pardonner toutes offenses. Apres lequel traicté fut par le Duc d'Alençon mandé au Gonnestable qu'il ne procedast plus avant, et aussi rie feist-il. Mais les traislres se parjurèrent. Car quand ils sçeurent que le Connestable pour la double duquel avoient faict ce traicté se départit, ils firent tant durant le terme de dix jours, qu'ils prinrent par cautelles aucuns des gens du Duc d'Alençon, et les menèrent prisonniers dedans leur place de Marchenoir: afin qu'ils peussent ravoir leurs hostages, et parce ne la rendirent, mais la tindrent comme devant.
Chronicle of England by Jean de Waurin. When this company was in the open fields they took the road, riding in fair order towards Patay, until they came to the distance of a league from it, and there they halted, for they were informed of a truth by the scouts of their rear-guard that they had seen a large force coming after them, whom they supposed to be French; and then in order to know the truth about it the English lords sent some of their men to ride towards them, who very soon returned and made report to the said lords, as I the author of this work understood, that the French were coming after them furiously in very great force; as very soon after they were seen to come. So it was ordered by our captains that those of the vanguard, the merchants, provisions and artillery should go forward and place themselves all along the hedges which were near Patay, which was accordingly done; then the main body marched on till they came between two strong hedges by which the French would have to pass. And then lord Talbot, seeing the said place was sufficiently advantageous, said that he would dismount with five hundred picked archers, and that he would remain there guarding the way against the French, until the main body and rear-guard should be united; and then the said Talbot took up his post by the hedges of Patay with the vanguard and there awaited them, and lord Talbot, thus guarding this narrow passage against the enemy, hoped to return and join the main body by keeping alongside the said hedges, whether the French were willing or not; but it turned out quite otherwise.
The French came very furiously after their enemies, whom they could not yet see, nor did they know the place where they were, until by chance the advanced scouts saw a stag come out of the wood, which took its way towards Patay and plunged into the main body of the English, wherefore they raised a very great shout, not knowing that their enemies were so near them. Hearing this cry, the French scouts above mentioned were certain that they were the English, and they also saw them soon after quite plainly, so they sent some of their comrades to report to their captains what they had seen and discovered, making known to them that they were to ride forward in good order, and that it was time for action; these promptly prepared themselves at all points, and rode on till they saw the said English quite plainly.
Now when the said English saw the French approaching them so near, they hastened as much as they could to reach the hedges before their coming, but they were unable to achieve this, for before they had joined their vanguard at the said hedges the French had dashed into the narrow passage where lord Talbot was. And then Sir John Fastolf turning and riding towards the vanguard to join them, they of the said vanguard thought that all was lost, and that the main body was flying; wherefore the said captain of the vanguard thinking that in truth it was so, he and his men with his white standard took to flight, and abandoned the hedge.
Then sir John Fastolf seeing the danger of the flight, knowing that everything was going very badly, was counselled to make his escape, and he was told, I the author being present, to take care of himself, for the battle was lost for them; but he wished at all events to return into the fight and there abide the fortune which Our Lord should be pleased to send him, saying that he would rather be slain or taken than shamefully fly and thus abandon his men; and before he was willing to depart the French had overtaken lord Talbot and made him a prisoner, and all his men were slain; and so the said French had already made such progress in the battle that they could at their will kill those whom it seemed good to them; and finally the English were discomfited there with little loss to the French; and there died of the party of the said English full two thousand men, and two hundred were prisoners.
Thus, as you hear, went this affair, and sir John Fastolf seeing this departed, much against his will, with a very small company, exhibiting the greatest grief that I ever saw shown by a man; and in truth he would have plunged again into the battle had it not been for those who were with him, especially sir John bastard of Thy an and others, who hindered him from it; and he took his way towards Estampes, and I myself followed him as my captain, whom the duke of Bedford had commanded me to obey, and indeed to serve his person; so we came about the hour of midnight to Estampes, where we lay, and the next day [we went] to Corbeil.
Thus, as you hear, the French obtained the victory at the said place of Patay, where they lay that night, thanking Our Lord for the good fortune which had come to them, and the next day they decamped from the said place of Patay, which is situated two leagues from Jenville; on account of this place being so called this battle will for ever bear the name of the battle of Patay; and from thence they went with their spoil to Orleans, where they were universally congratulated by all the people, and especially, above all others, the maid Joan acquired by these operations so great praise and renown that it really seemed to all men that the enemies of king Charles would have no power of resistance in any place where she was present, and that by her means the said king would shortly be restored to his kingdom in spite of all those who wished to gainsay it.
After this fair victory all the French captains who were there, and the maid Joan with them, went to king Charles, who congratulated them much and thanked them greatly for their good service and diligence; and they told him that above all he ought to be pleased with the said maid, who from that hour was retained on the privy council of the king. And there it was decided to assemble the greatest number of men of war that could be raised throughout the countries obeying the said king, in order that he might push forward in the country and pursue his enemies.