Bataille de la Roche Derrien
18 June 1347
Charles de Blois v 
Sir Thomas Dagworth (Anglo-Breton)War of Breton Succession
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Charles had coinage but Thomas Dagworth did not.
Charles of Blois (1345-64)
Billon Gros au Lion,
26mm, 2.99gr. Obv: CHA ROL LVS DVX inner ring,
+BNDICTV:SIT:NOME:DNI:NRI:HV:XPI, central cross. Rev: +MONETA BRITAN, central
lion. Bigot 425, Jez.159. Image from
monnaiesdantan.com, Alexis Bigot sale 11/2010.
Jean IV (1364-99)
AR Gros, 28mm, 3.61gr. Obv: + IOHANNE DEI GRACIA DVX
BRITANIE, central lion and shield. Rev: + XPC VINCIT XPC REGNAT XPC IPERAT V,
central cross. Bigot 770; Jez 254. Image from monnaiesdantan.com, Alexis Bigot
sale 11/2010.
Background
Jean III, duke
of Brittany, died in 1341 without a clear male heir.
His intended heir, brother Gui de Penthievre, predeceased him. This
left claimants to the duchy his sister, Jeanne de Penthievre, who
married Charles de Blois, and his
half brother, Jean de Montfort. Through the marriage of Jeanne and
Charles de
Blois, Blois became a claimant to the duchy. The contention between
Blois and
Montfort set up a civil war in Brittany, commonly called the War of
Breton
Succession. In this conflict, Blois became a client of the French while
Montfort became a client of the English, hence this war was a part of
the
larger Hundred Years War, the conflict over succession to the French
crown.
Jean de Montfort married (Jeanne) and they had a son. Jean de Montfort died in 1345. His wife carried on the conflict for their son, who was initially too young to take an active part in the fighting. He was only six when his father died. He was protected in England.
These relationships can be seen on the war of Breton Succession genealogy page.
The Montfort faction had its strength in the south and west of Brittany while Blois had his strength in the north and east. La Roche Derrien is in the NW corner of Brittany. In 1347 Sir Thomas Dagworth was the English commander in Brittany. Charles of Blois led his own forces.
Foissart (chapter 141) describes the preliminaries like this: “Three knights one day set out to besiege a town called la Roche-d’errien: they had collected a number of men at arms on horseback, and foot soldiers, and made some violent attacks upon the town; but it was so well defended, that the English could not gain any advantage. The captain of the garrison for lord Charles was Tassart de Guines, but three parts of the inhabitants were more attached to the English than to the French; so they arrested sir Tassart, and declared they would murder him, if he would not join them in surrendering the place to the English. Upon this, he said he would comply with whatever they wished: they then let him go, and advanced towards the English army, whom they admitted into their town. Sir Tassart was continued as before, governor of it. When the English returned to Hennebon, they left with him a sufficiency of men at arms and archers, to defend the town and castle. Lord Charles when he heard this, swore things should not go on thus.”
Blois decided to lay siege to La Roche Derrien. This image is from Foissart, showing the siege of la Roche Derrien.
Charles' intention was to draw Dagworth into an open battle and hopefully defeat him. The numerical odds were in Blois’ favor, in that he had a larger field army than Dagworth.
La Roche Derrien is situated on the river Jaudy. It is built in a curve of the river, so the river bounds the town on the north and the west. Looking at the IGN carte randonnee (Map 1), the river appears to narrow considerably just south of the town.
Charles had an army of 4 – 5,000 troops. They established four camps as their siege strategy. Blois placed a force on left bank of the Jaudy to guard that approach. It was located at Place Verte, an earlier fortified location still extant in the 14th century (and today). On the IGN map it is the 'camp antique' circled in blue. On site, there is a marker referring to it as 'Castel Du.' It is know by other names as well, including 'Place Verte' and 'Chateau Noir.' It is an interesting location. Today it is overgrown, an inner flat area surrounded by two tall outer earthen rings. The first picture shows its location and the view from Charles' camp. The second shows the inner flat area today.
Where Blois camped, the land slopes down to the town from higher ground to the SE. The yellow road on Map 1 is the road to Guingamp, a larger Breton town and the direction from which Blois approached. In 1347 the white road to the left of the yellow was the main approach to la Roche Derrien. This next picture is the view from Blois' camp to La Roche Derrien. The second image is along his right flank, towards the right side of the blue arc shown on Map 1. While Blois was able to look down on La Roche Derrien, his troops were on fairly flat ground themselves. Today this area is calles 'les Buttes.'
Blois expected Dagworth to attack from the south, and likewise expected the attack might be at night. He was concerned that his forces would be rattled by an attack they could not see so he gave strict orders that each position was to hold its ground and not come to the aid of another group that might come under attack. He intended to use his own, larger group, as the mobile relief force. This proved to be a major tactical mistake.
Dagworth did in fact approach from the south with a smaller Anglo-Breton force. He had about 1000 troops at his command, hence he was outnumbered 4 or 5 to 1. Blois had split his forces into four divisions, two strong and two weaker. Recall he placed one west of the Jaudy, in ‘Place Verte,’ circled in blue on Map 1. Blois held his main force on the east side of the Jaudy, along the blue arc in Map 1. Each of Blois’s main divisions was paired with a smaller division, to complete the encirclement of the town. I placed an ‘X’ on the Map 1 approximately where these groups were located.
Blois had prepared the ground for the battle. His troops were protected by palisades and he had the field cleared and ditches filled so the ground to the south was open. His intention was to make an attack inviting to Dagworth. If he was too well protected, Dagworth would probably not take the risk to attack, given that he was so outnumbered.
Foissart writes about the action like this: “About midnight sir Thomas Dagworth and sir John Hartwell armed one half of their people, and, setting off in silence, fell upon one of the wings of lord Charles's army, and slew a great number of his men. They remained in this action so long that the whole army was roused and armed; they could not therefore retreat, without encountering the whole of the lord Charles's force. They were surrounded, and so sharply dealt with that they could not withstand the powers of the French. Sir Thomas Dagworth was taken prisoner, after having been severely wounded. Sir John Hartwell escaped as well as he was able, with all that he could bring off with him, by making for the river. He related to sir Taneguy du Châtel the ill success of their attack; and they held a council, whether they ought not to return to Hennebon.”
At this stage, it looked like things had gone Charles’ way. The Anglo-Bretons were disorganized and demoralized, in retreat, while Blois was complacent in perceived victory. About this time Garnier, the sire of Cadouadal arrived with some additional troops and re-energized the Montfortists. He argued, correctly, that Blois would think he had won a victory and would have relaxed his guard. Besides, he argued, the English should rescue their leader. This led to a second attack, one that surprised Blois. Dagworth was rescued but in the fighting French superiority of numbers once again turned the tide and Dagworth was captured a second time. Throughout all this Blois’ other divisions held their positions, as he had commanded.
By now it was dawn and the Montfortist garrison in town could see what was happening. They opened the gates and attacked Blois from the rear. The English in Dagwoth's troop again engaged. Pressed on two sides, Blois was forced to retreat. He was unable to communicate with his other, still unengaged divisions, and the fight turned against him. He was wounded several times and finally forced to surrender. This map from Le Fell shows the purported sortie from the town.
Foissart recounts this stage of the battle: “At the time they were holding this council, whether to decamp or not, there came to them a knight from the countess, called Garnier, lord of Cadoudal, with a hundred men at arms who had been prevented from coming sooner. When he was informed of the resolution they were about to take of returning, “Oh come,” said he, “arm yourselves quickly, and mount your horses; and he that has no horse, let him follow on foot; for we will go and look once more at our enemies, who are now so elated that we shall be sure to conquer them.” Those that had horses soon got themselves in readiness, and set out; and the foot followed them; so that, about sun-rise, they came upon the army of the lord Charles, which they found wrapped up in sleep, for they did not imagine they should have any more disturbance. The English and Bretons began immediately to cut down and destroy tents and pavilions, and to slay all those whom they had thus surprised; for they had thought themselves so secure, they had not set any watch. Thus were those of the party of lord Charles defeated, and all the barons of Normandy and Brittany that were with him taken prisoners that night. The siege of la Roche-d’errien was raised, and lord Charles conducted to Hennebon. Nevertheless the towns and fortresses that he had before gained, still held out for him; for his wife, who called herself duchess of Brittany, undertook most cheerfully to continue the war.” This image is from Foissart and shows the capture of Charles de Blois.
What happened at the end of the battle unclear. The unengaged French left the field but a number of knights, out of loyalty and to avoid being called cowards, stayed and fought. They were killed or captured.
Rogers presents a map of the battlefield with a number of notable landmarks (Map 2). IGN Map 1 with the blue arc showing Blois' line corresponds to the space between ND (Chapel de Notre Dame) and H (Hospital). Not evident from the map is the fact that while ND appears to be on the river it is actually on a high bluff right above the river. I'd estimate the height as 60 - 80 feet. Therefore, when sources talk about Dagworth approaching along the river, the implication is the approach is along the bluff above the river.
Today there is a more recently constructed chapel at the ND site. However, outside it is a cross of an earlier chapel, likely the one there in 1347. The first picture is the newer chapel at the ND location and the second is the older cross outside the chapel.
*
Burne presents a generally similar description of the battle, in less detail than Rogers. Burne’s map (Map 3) shows the Anglo-Breton attack from the south, but does not differentiate between the feint and the main attack. Locationally, it is on the same ground as Rogers places it. His Chateau Noir is IGN's camp antique.
Rogers and others note this was a remarkable Anglo-Breton victory. It happened against a much larger force and was achieved without the support of archers, since the archers were ineffective in the dark. It ended with the imprisonment of Charles de Blois and left his faction in the hands of his wife, Jeanne.
There is no monument on the battlefield itself but the church in town has new stained glass windows showing Blois' capture. Note that Blois' head is surrounded by a halo. He was canonized because miracles were attributed to him. This 'miracle power' continued to make him a thorn in Montfort's side even after his death.
*
Jean de Montfort married (Jeanne) and they had a son. Jean de Montfort died in 1345. His wife carried on the conflict for their son, who was initially too young to take an active part in the fighting. He was only six when his father died. He was protected in England.
These relationships can be seen on the war of Breton Succession genealogy page.
The Montfort faction had its strength in the south and west of Brittany while Blois had his strength in the north and east. La Roche Derrien is in the NW corner of Brittany. In 1347 Sir Thomas Dagworth was the English commander in Brittany. Charles of Blois led his own forces.
Foissart (chapter 141) describes the preliminaries like this: “Three knights one day set out to besiege a town called la Roche-d’errien: they had collected a number of men at arms on horseback, and foot soldiers, and made some violent attacks upon the town; but it was so well defended, that the English could not gain any advantage. The captain of the garrison for lord Charles was Tassart de Guines, but three parts of the inhabitants were more attached to the English than to the French; so they arrested sir Tassart, and declared they would murder him, if he would not join them in surrendering the place to the English. Upon this, he said he would comply with whatever they wished: they then let him go, and advanced towards the English army, whom they admitted into their town. Sir Tassart was continued as before, governor of it. When the English returned to Hennebon, they left with him a sufficiency of men at arms and archers, to defend the town and castle. Lord Charles when he heard this, swore things should not go on thus.”
Blois decided to lay siege to La Roche Derrien. This image is from Foissart, showing the siege of la Roche Derrien.
Charles' intention was to draw Dagworth into an open battle and hopefully defeat him. The numerical odds were in Blois’ favor, in that he had a larger field army than Dagworth.
The Setting
La Roche Derrien is situated on the river Jaudy. It is built in a curve of the river, so the river bounds the town on the north and the west. Looking at the IGN carte randonnee (Map 1), the river appears to narrow considerably just south of the town.
Map 1 
Charles had an army of 4 – 5,000 troops. They established four camps as their siege strategy. Blois placed a force on left bank of the Jaudy to guard that approach. It was located at Place Verte, an earlier fortified location still extant in the 14th century (and today). On the IGN map it is the 'camp antique' circled in blue. On site, there is a marker referring to it as 'Castel Du.' It is know by other names as well, including 'Place Verte' and 'Chateau Noir.' It is an interesting location. Today it is overgrown, an inner flat area surrounded by two tall outer earthen rings. The first picture shows its location and the view from Charles' camp. The second shows the inner flat area today.
The next picture is of La Roche Derrien from Place Verte. The town is across the river. Charles' position is to the right of this view.
Where Blois camped, the land slopes down to the town from higher ground to the SE. The yellow road on Map 1 is the road to Guingamp, a larger Breton town and the direction from which Blois approached. In 1347 the white road to the left of the yellow was the main approach to la Roche Derrien. This next picture is the view from Blois' camp to La Roche Derrien. The second image is along his right flank, towards the right side of the blue arc shown on Map 1. While Blois was able to look down on La Roche Derrien, his troops were on fairly flat ground themselves. Today this area is calles 'les Buttes.'
Blois expected Dagworth to attack from the south, and likewise expected the attack might be at night. He was concerned that his forces would be rattled by an attack they could not see so he gave strict orders that each position was to hold its ground and not come to the aid of another group that might come under attack. He intended to use his own, larger group, as the mobile relief force. This proved to be a major tactical mistake.
Dagworth did in fact approach from the south with a smaller Anglo-Breton force. He had about 1000 troops at his command, hence he was outnumbered 4 or 5 to 1. Blois had split his forces into four divisions, two strong and two weaker. Recall he placed one west of the Jaudy, in ‘Place Verte,’ circled in blue on Map 1. Blois held his main force on the east side of the Jaudy, along the blue arc in Map 1. Each of Blois’s main divisions was paired with a smaller division, to complete the encirclement of the town. I placed an ‘X’ on the Map 1 approximately where these groups were located.
Blois had prepared the ground for the battle. His troops were protected by palisades and he had the field cleared and ditches filled so the ground to the south was open. His intention was to make an attack inviting to Dagworth. If he was too well protected, Dagworth would probably not take the risk to attack, given that he was so outnumbered.
The Battle
The description of the battle relies heavily on Clifford Rogers article “Sir Thomas Dagworth in Brittany, 1346-7: Restellou and La Roche Derrien.” Dagworth took a twofold approach to his attack. The Franco-Bretons expected the attack to come at Place Verte but Dagworth found those troops too alert. He crossed the river and launched a feint loosely along the approach road from Guingamp. This feint is marked with the smaller red arrow on Map 1 coming up from the south. The feint was not unexpected but it still caused confusion among the Franco-Bretons.
Foissart writes about the action like this: “About midnight sir Thomas Dagworth and sir John Hartwell armed one half of their people, and, setting off in silence, fell upon one of the wings of lord Charles's army, and slew a great number of his men. They remained in this action so long that the whole army was roused and armed; they could not therefore retreat, without encountering the whole of the lord Charles's force. They were surrounded, and so sharply dealt with that they could not withstand the powers of the French. Sir Thomas Dagworth was taken prisoner, after having been severely wounded. Sir John Hartwell escaped as well as he was able, with all that he could bring off with him, by making for the river. He related to sir Taneguy du Châtel the ill success of their attack; and they held a council, whether they ought not to return to Hennebon.”
At this stage, it looked like things had gone Charles’ way. The Anglo-Bretons were disorganized and demoralized, in retreat, while Blois was complacent in perceived victory. About this time Garnier, the sire of Cadouadal arrived with some additional troops and re-energized the Montfortists. He argued, correctly, that Blois would think he had won a victory and would have relaxed his guard. Besides, he argued, the English should rescue their leader. This led to a second attack, one that surprised Blois. Dagworth was rescued but in the fighting French superiority of numbers once again turned the tide and Dagworth was captured a second time. Throughout all this Blois’ other divisions held their positions, as he had commanded.
By now it was dawn and the Montfortist garrison in town could see what was happening. They opened the gates and attacked Blois from the rear. The English in Dagwoth's troop again engaged. Pressed on two sides, Blois was forced to retreat. He was unable to communicate with his other, still unengaged divisions, and the fight turned against him. He was wounded several times and finally forced to surrender. This map from Le Fell shows the purported sortie from the town.
Foissart recounts this stage of the battle: “At the time they were holding this council, whether to decamp or not, there came to them a knight from the countess, called Garnier, lord of Cadoudal, with a hundred men at arms who had been prevented from coming sooner. When he was informed of the resolution they were about to take of returning, “Oh come,” said he, “arm yourselves quickly, and mount your horses; and he that has no horse, let him follow on foot; for we will go and look once more at our enemies, who are now so elated that we shall be sure to conquer them.” Those that had horses soon got themselves in readiness, and set out; and the foot followed them; so that, about sun-rise, they came upon the army of the lord Charles, which they found wrapped up in sleep, for they did not imagine they should have any more disturbance. The English and Bretons began immediately to cut down and destroy tents and pavilions, and to slay all those whom they had thus surprised; for they had thought themselves so secure, they had not set any watch. Thus were those of the party of lord Charles defeated, and all the barons of Normandy and Brittany that were with him taken prisoners that night. The siege of la Roche-d’errien was raised, and lord Charles conducted to Hennebon. Nevertheless the towns and fortresses that he had before gained, still held out for him; for his wife, who called herself duchess of Brittany, undertook most cheerfully to continue the war.” This image is from Foissart and shows the capture of Charles de Blois.
What happened at the end of the battle unclear. The unengaged French left the field but a number of knights, out of loyalty and to avoid being called cowards, stayed and fought. They were killed or captured.
Rogers presents a map of the battlefield with a number of notable landmarks (Map 2). IGN Map 1 with the blue arc showing Blois' line corresponds to the space between ND (Chapel de Notre Dame) and H (Hospital). Not evident from the map is the fact that while ND appears to be on the river it is actually on a high bluff right above the river. I'd estimate the height as 60 - 80 feet. Therefore, when sources talk about Dagworth approaching along the river, the implication is the approach is along the bluff above the river.
Map 2 
Today there is a more recently constructed chapel at the ND site. However, outside it is a cross of an earlier chapel, likely the one there in 1347. The first picture is the newer chapel at the ND location and the second is the older cross outside the chapel.
*Burne presents a generally similar description of the battle, in less detail than Rogers. Burne’s map (Map 3) shows the Anglo-Breton attack from the south, but does not differentiate between the feint and the main attack. Locationally, it is on the same ground as Rogers places it. His Chateau Noir is IGN's camp antique.
Map 3
Rogers and others note this was a remarkable Anglo-Breton victory. It happened against a much larger force and was achieved without the support of archers, since the archers were ineffective in the dark. It ended with the imprisonment of Charles de Blois and left his faction in the hands of his wife, Jeanne.
There is no monument on the battlefield itself but the church in town has new stained glass windows showing Blois' capture. Note that Blois' head is surrounded by a halo. He was canonized because miracles were attributed to him. This 'miracle power' continued to make him a thorn in Montfort's side even after his death.
*Sources
Burne, A.H., The Crecy War, Wordsworth Editions, 1999.
Foissart, J., Chronicles, http://www.maisonstclaire.org/resources/chronicles/froissart/book_1/fc_b1_contents.html
Institut Culturel de Bretagne, http://www.skoluhelarvro.org/culture-bretagne/batailles/detail.php?id=85
Le Fell, G et M-L, La Roche-Derrien de nos jours aux origines, 2007
Rogers, C., “Sir Thomas Dagworth in Brittany, 1346-7:
Restellou and La Roche Derrien,” in The Journal of Medieval Military History,
vol. III, The Boydell Press, 2005
Wikipedia.fr, http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bataille_de_La_Roche-Derrien