26th March 1351: Combat of the Thirty fought between English and Breton soldiers

Описание: Against the backdrop of the Hundred Years’ War, the Breton War of Succession unfolded between the House of Montfort, supported by England, and the French-aligned House of Blois. With no end to the conflict in sight, the knight Jean de Beaumanoir of the Blois faction challenged Montfortist Robert Bemborough to single combat. In response Bemborough suggested a larger tournament, involving thirty champions, knights, and squires from each side.

The combatants met at a site known as the Halfway Oak, situated midway between the castles of Josselin and Ploërmel. A large number of spectators also attended to watch the two sides fight with swords, daggers, spears, and axes, but adhering to a strict set of rules of combat. According to the contemporary chronicler Jean Froissart both sides fought gallantly, and the tournament went on to be celebrated as an example of the finest chivalry.

Nevertheless, the battle was fierce. By the time the two sides agreed to break for refreshments and attend to their wounds, four French and two English knights were already lying dead. After the fighting resumed, Bemborough himself was killed, while the English defensive formation was eventually broken by the French squire Guillaume de Montauban mounted on a horse.

In later years the chivalric nature of the battle was celebrated by chroniclers, balladeers, and artists, while survivors of the Thirty were held in held regard. However, the event was of little military importance overall. When the Breton War of Succession formally ended in April 1365, John of Montfort was established as Duke of Brittany yet declared himself a vassal to King Charles V of France.