Battle of La Brossinière
The Battle of La Brossinière (also known as Battle of la Gravelle called ) took place during the Hundred Years War on September 26, 1423. It happened at La Brossinière (now Bourgon in Canton Loiron ), between English and French troops shortly after the dormant since 1415 hostilities broke out again between the two sides. The battle was fought on the Chemin gravelais, an ancient trade route, the Anjou and Normandy joined together.
Background
In the summer of 1423 an English force of about 2000 armed men and 800 archers took under the command of William de la Pole of Normandy from a raid by Anjou and Maine. On their way they plundered the lands they crossed, took prisoners and eventually conquered Segre. There, they rounded up a herd of 1,200 bulls and cows from the city and the surrounding area before they set out on the way back towards Normandy.
To avenge this attack, ordered the mother of the French king Charles VII, Queen Yolande of Aragon hastily set up a fighting force. This should still provide the looters on the way back and beat. The command for this company was Ambroise de Loré transferred, who commanded since 1422 Sainte -Suzanne. This immediately set a letter to Jean d' Harcourt VIII, Count of Aumale and governor of Touraine, on who prepared a raid in Normandy at this time. They were to meet at Laval and Jean bring all the troops he had already retired. At Le Bourgneuf- la -Forêt sat a letter to Anna Jean de Laval, and asked them their twelve year old son André de Lohéac and Guy XIV de Laval together with all available men under arms also to send to the agreed meeting place.
He reached Laval on 24 September and the very next morning, the combined forces of Harcourt, Laval and Loré made on the way forward to the British on the trade route to pursue. When they had finally approached them on three hours' march, and it was clear that this would happen La Brossiniére to Harcourt consulted with the other army leaders. It was decided that Harcourt and Guy de Laval would go with their troops on foot to La Brossiniére and should refer there in battle position. The remaining 200 men were led by Loré to attack the British on horseback from behind.
Battle Record
Two hours after the French had set up in order of battle, British reconnaissance discovered the French outposts. They forced them to retreat and pursued them until they had retreated behind the French lines. The British broke the persecution from then and withdrew.
The English train due to the looting led a very long convoy with it, but marched in disciplined marching order. Even before the English main force could react to the discovery of the French troops before them, Loré led a cavalry charge against the English. These sought the cart before the baggage train coverage. At the same now moved in front of the French infantry, and soon the English were included. Although these fought valiantly, they could not hold for long. Soon the English soldiers turned to flee, but only a few managed. Overall, the English soldiers were killed on the spot or killed on the run from the French 1200-1400. William de la Pole and some other nobles escaped along with about 120 men. On the French side, only a knight, John Le Roux, and a few Gewappnete had fallen.
Follow
The victory of La Brossiniére was enthusiastically received in the whole of France and should remain anchored in the collective memory for a long time. For Charles VII, this battle was a major success at the beginning of his reign. The twelve- year-old André de Lohéac, later Marshal of France, was charged along with several companions to participate in the battle for the Knights.