Home > Breton War of Succession

1 Background

In the middle of the 14th century, Brittany was ruled by the House of Dreux . The dukes had a historical connection to England and were also Earls of Richmond in Yorkshire. Duke Arthur II of Dreux married twice, first to Mary of Limoges (1260-1291), then to Yolande of Dreux, countess of Montfort (1263-1322) and widow of king Alexander III of Scotland. From his first marriage he had three sons, including his heir John III and Guy, count of Penthievre. From Yolande, Arthur had another John who became count of Montfort. Succession appeared secured but (see Dukes of Brittany family tree), John III died in 1341 without male heirs after his brothers. The heiress of the senior branch was Joanna of Dreux, la Boiteuse, married to Charles of Blois. The Blois faction immediately seized control of the duchy, but count John of Montfort, declared his intentions of fighting for the duchy. And so the war began.

The Breton issue was not limited to the borders of the duchy and was an event in the Hundred Years War. Since the House of Blois was an ally of France and the Montforts were traditionally inclined towards the English side, Brittany became the centre of a major struggle for power between the two countries.

2 Chronology

• April 30 1341 – John III dies without heirs. Joanna and Charles of Blois became dukes of Brittany. John of Montfort refuses to accept and calls for the help of king Edward III of EnglandEdward III ( 13 November 1312 21 June 1377) was one of the most successful English Kings of mediaeval times. His fifty-year reign began when his father Edward II was deposed on 25 January 1327, and lasted until 1377. Among his immediate predecessors, only.

• 1343Events Magnus II of Sweden abdicates from the throne of Norway in favor of his son Haakon VI of Norway. However Haakon is still a minor, allowing Magnus to be the de facto ruler. Births Emperor Chokei of Japan Geoffrey Chaucer, English poet. approximate d – John of Montfort is taken prisoner, but is released shortly afterwards. Charles tries to take advantage and attacks Hennebont, but the city is defended with success by Joanna of Flanders, wife of Montfort. An English army relieves the siege and forces the Blois to a truce, broken shortly afterwards.

• 1344Events English king Edward III introduces three new gold coins, the florin. leopard, and helm. Unfortunately the amount of gold in the coins does not match their value of six shillings, three shillings, and one shilling and sixpence, so they have to be wi - Charles takes Quimper with the help of a French army, courtesy of king Philip VI of FrancePhilippe VI the Fortunate, ( 1293 August 22, 1350) was King of France from 1328 to 1350. He was the son of Charles of Valois and would become the first king of the Valois Dynasty. In 1328, King Charles IV of France died without a direct male descendant, h

• 1345Events Births October 31 King Fernando of Portugal Deaths September 22 Henry Plantagenet, 3rd Earl of Leicester, English nobleman (b. 1281) 1345. – John of Montfort fails to recover Quimper and dies. His ambitions over Brittany are inherited by is son John VJohn V (in French Jean V ( 1339 November 1 1399), known as the Conqueror was duke of Brittany, from 1345 to his death. He was son of Duke John IV and Joanna of Flanders. The first part of his rule was tainted by the Breton War of Succession, fought agains.

• between 1346 and 1364, several minor battles are won and lost by both parts, several truces are signed and broken
  • March 27March 27 is the 86th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (87th in Leap years). There are 279 days remaining. Events 1306 Robert I of Scotland and Elizabeth de Burgh are crowned king and Queen of the Scots. 1513 (not 1512 as often cited) Explorer Jua, 1351Events End of the reign of Emperor Suko of Japan, third of the Northern Ashikaga Pretenders Start of the reign of Emperor Go-Kogon of Japan, fourth of the Northern Ashikaga Pretenders May 1 Zurich joins the Swiss Confederation. King Ramathibodi I ascends - Combat of the Thirty

• September 29 1364 – Battle of Auray. Bertrand du Guesclin and Charles of Blois are heavily defeated by John V and the English warlord Sir John Chandos. Charles is killed in action, ending the Blois pretensions in Brittany.

• 1365 – John V is recognized as Duke of Brittany and Joanna of Dreux gives up any claim to the duchy in the Treaty of Guérande. Surprisingly the new duke declares himself as a vassal, not to the English king that helped him, but to king Charles V of France.