Introduction
The Battle of Meung-sur-Loire, fought on 15 June 1429, was one of the key engagements during the Loire Campaign of the Hundred Years’ War. Coming hot on the heels of the relief of Orléans, it marked another decisive victory for the forces of Charles VII, driven by the momentum and morale kindled by Joan of Arc. The English garrison, once secure behind walls and bridges, soon found that even the Loire was no match for a determined French counterattack.
This wasn’t a grand, open-field spectacle like Agincourt or Patay, but a sharp, strategic strike at a fortified crossing. Yet it set the stage for the French resurgence that would eventually end England’s territorial ambitions in France.
Background
By early 1429, the English position along the Loire River was critical. They held key bridge fortresses at Meung-sur-Loire, Beaugency, and Jargeau, effectively controlling movement and supply routes. After Joan of Arc’s triumph at Orléans in May, the French launched a swift campaign to reclaim these river crossings.
Meung-sur-Loire was targeted for its bridge, which served as a vital artery for English communications and reinforcements. Commanding it was an English garrison under Lord Scales (Thomas Scales) and Lord Talbot, both seasoned soldiers of the Lancastrian cause.
The French army, led by the Duke of Alençon and Joan of Arc, intended to strike quickly, severing the English lines and keeping their enemies off balance.
Forces
French Forces
| Leader | Title/Role | Estimated Troops | Composition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke of Alençon | Commander of the Loire Campaign | 3,000–4,000 | French knights, men-at-arms, militia, artillery |
| Joan of Arc | Spiritual and tactical leader | – | Personal retinue, banner, and morale |
| Étienne de Vignolles (La Hire) | Captain | 300 | Light cavalry and infantry veterans |
| Jean Poton de Xaintrailles | Captain | 300 | Mixed cavalry and footmen |
English Forces
| Leader | Title/Role | Estimated Troops | Composition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lord Talbot | English commander | 1,000–1,500 | Garrison troops, longbowmen, men-at-arms |
| Lord Scales | Governor of Meung-sur-Loire | 400 | Defensive detachment guarding the bridge |
| John Fastolf (absent at Meung) | Commanded nearby troops at Beaugency | – | – |
Arms and Armour
The clash at Meung-sur-Loire was typical of late medieval warfare, where traditional armour met the evolving reality of gunpowder.
French weaponry and armour:
- Swords: Oakeshott Type XV and XVIII longswords, designed for thrusting through plate gaps.
- Polearms: Glaives, becs de corbin, and guisarmes in the infantry ranks.
- Armour: Transitional plate harness, with Italian-style breastplates and sallets replacing earlier bascinets.
- Artillery: Small field bombards and ribauldequins (organ guns) used to soften fortifications.
English weaponry and armour:
- Swords: Falchions and Type XVI arming swords, suitable for cutting in close quarters.
- Longbows: The traditional backbone, effective at range but less decisive against stone walls.
- Armour: Full plate among men-at-arms, brigandines and kettle hats for longbowmen.
The French artillery and momentum rendered much of the English defensive advantage moot. It was, as one French chronicler noted, “a battle fought more with smoke and courage than with arrows.”
The Battle
The French did not waste time. On 15 June, their forces advanced on Meung-sur-Loire, bypassing the fortified town itself to strike directly at the bridge fortifications. This was clever work by Alençon’s staff, as the goal was not to occupy the town but to control the crossing.
The French artillery opened up on the English bridge bastille, while Joan and La Hire led forward units under the protection of the bombardment. The defenders, though valiant, were isolated and could not expect relief from Beaugency or Jargeau, where English command was already faltering.
By evening, the English garrison was overwhelmed. The French secured the bridge, cutting off English communication along the Loire. Rather than a drawn-out siege, it was a quick, coordinated action that showcased the efficiency and confidence of the newly reinvigorated French command.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 12 June 1429 | French victory at Jargeau boosts morale and clears the path westward. |
| 14 June 1429 | Joan of Arc and Alençon move towards Meung-sur-Loire. French scouts report weak English numbers. |
| 15 June 1429 (Morning) | French artillery begins bombarding the bridge fortifications. |
| 15 June 1429 (Afternoon) | Assault led by La Hire and Xaintrailles; English garrison collapses under pressure. |
| 15 June 1429 (Evening) | The bridge captured; English survivors retreat towards Beaugency. |
| 16 June 1429 | French forces regroup to advance on Beaugency, leaving a small force to secure Meung. |
Archaeology
Traces of the medieval bridge fortifications at Meung-sur-Loire have been identified along the modern crossing. Excavations have revealed fragments of wrought iron weaponry, crossbow bolt heads, and stone shot consistent with early French artillery use.
Nearby, in the remains of the town’s fortifications, masonry scars and subsidence patterns hint at bombardment damage. While no clear “smoking gun” identifies the exact spot of the French attack, the evidence supports contemporary accounts of heavy siege artillery employed at short range.
Contemporary Quotes
“They came upon us with banners raised and bombards roaring, and the very air did quake.”
— Anonymous English soldier, reported in Chroniques de la Pucelle
“The Maid rode forth with such confidence that men forgot their fear of death.”
— Jean Chartier, chronicler at the court of Charles VII
“We took not the town, for that was needless, but the bridge, and with it, their pride.”
— Attributed to La Hire (apocryphal but fitting)
Aftermath and Legacy
The victory at Meung-sur-Loire was the second of four swift French wins in June 1429, collectively known as the Loire Campaign. By retaking the bridges, the French reasserted control over central France and severed English communication routes.
The psychological impact was as significant as the tactical one. English forces, once confident after years of dominance, were suddenly in retreat. Within days, the French captured Beaugency and annihilated an English relief force at Patay.
In short, Meung-sur-Loire was the hinge on which the Loire turned—and with it, the war’s fortunes.
The Seven swords Takeaway
The Battle of Meung-sur-Loire might not have the fame of Orléans or the drama of Patay, but it was essential in dismantling English control. It showed a new French army, bold, organised, and guided by a banner that had become the stuff of legend.
As a historian, I find it quietly satisfying. The English had grown overconfident, clinging to their bridges like a miser to his last coin. The French, newly inspired, took those bridges and left the English holding little more than regret.
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Meta Title:
Battle of Meung-sur-Loire (1429): Joan of Arc’s Strategic Victory on the Loire
Meta Description:
Discover the 1429 Battle of Meung-sur-Loire, where Joan of Arc and the Duke of Alençon reclaimed a vital Loire crossing from the English, marking a key step in the French resurgence of the Hundred Years’ War.
