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The Breton War of Succession was a conflict fought between 1341 and 1364 over the control of the Duchy of Brittany, opposing the Houses of Blois and Montfort.
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.
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 England.
1343 – 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.
1344 - Charles takes Quimper with the help of a French army, courtesy of king Philip VI of France, and slaughters 2000 civilians
1345 – John of Montfort fails to recover Quimper and dies. His ambitions over Brittany are inherited by is son John V. His mother Joanna of Flanders becomes the political and military commander of the Montfort faction.
between 1346 and 1364, several minor battles are won and lost by both parts, several truces are signed and broken
March 27, 1351 - 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.
See also
Duke of Brittany – Dukes of Brittany family tree
Hundred Years War
Category:Hundred Years' War
Category:Brittany
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