The Battle of Morlaix took place on 30 September 1342 during the early phase of the Breton War of Succession, a wider conflict fought within the context of the Hundred Years’ War. English forces under William de Bohun, Earl of Northampton, clashed with French troops loyal to Charles of Blois. The encounter is notable for the English use of defensive tactics that prefigured later successes at Crécy and Poitiers.
Background
The Breton War of Succession began after the death of Duke John III of Brittany in 1341, who left no direct heir. Two rival claimants emerged: John of Montfort, supported by the English crown, and Charles of Blois, backed by France. The fighting in Brittany became an important theatre for England and France, each using it to test their military strength. Morlaix, a strategically significant town in north-western Brittany, became the site of a major clash.
Forces
Commanders
| Side | Commander |
|---|---|
| England (Montfortist) | William de Bohun, Earl of Northampton |
| France (Blois faction) | Charles of Blois |
Troop Estimates
- English and Montfortist forces: around 1,500 men, including longbowmen, dismounted men-at-arms, and local Breton allies.
- French forces: roughly 3,000 men, mainly heavy cavalry supported by Breton levies and men-at-arms loyal to Charles of Blois.
Leaders and Troop Composition
- William de Bohun (England)
- Experienced commander from the opening years of the Hundred Years’ War.
- Troops:
- English longbowmen armed with yew longbows
- Dismounted men-at-arms with arming swords and falchions
- Breton allies with spears and crossbows
- Charles of Blois (France)
- Nephew of King Philip VI of France and claimant to Brittany.
- Troops:
- French knights with longswords and lances
- Breton men-at-arms with arming swords and axes
- Levies with polearms and shields
Arms and Armour
- English Forces
- Longbowmen with yew bows, bodkin arrows capable of piercing mail
- Dismounted men-at-arms in mail and transitional plate, wielding arming swords, falchions, and poleaxes
- Use of earthworks and pits dug in front of their line to blunt cavalry charges
- French Forces
- Heavily armoured knights in mail and plate, wielding longswords, lances, and maces
- Breton retainers with shields and spears
- Cavalry relying on shock tactics against fortified English positions
The Battle
The French army under Charles of Blois attempted a direct cavalry assault on the English lines. Northampton had prepared the ground by digging concealed pits and ditches in front of his position. As French knights charged, many horses stumbled into the pits, causing confusion. The English longbowmen poured arrows into the disrupted cavalry, while dismounted men-at-arms held their ground.
Despite their numerical advantage, the French could not break the English defensive line. After repeated failed assaults, Charles of Blois withdrew, leaving the English in control of the battlefield.
Archaeology
Archaeological traces near Morlaix suggest defensive earthworks and filled pits consistent with medieval battlefield preparations. Finds in the surrounding area include fragments of arrowheads, consistent with bodkin types used by English longbowmen, and pieces of horse armour attributed to French cavalry. While the precise battlefield site remains debated, these discoveries reinforce contemporary accounts of the engagement.
Battle Timeline
- 1341: Death of John III of Brittany sparks war of succession.
- Mid 1342: Charles of Blois campaigns across Brittany with French support.
- September 1342: William de Bohun arrives with English reinforcements.
- 30 September 1342: Battle of Morlaix fought. English defensive tactics blunt French cavalry.
- Aftermath: English victory secures Montfortist position in Brittany, though the wider conflict continues.
Contemporary Quotes
Jean Froissart, the chronicler, later wrote of the battle:
- “The French found themselves confounded, their horses cast into the pits, and the English archers shooting so fiercely that none could advance without peril.”
A Breton account described the confusion of the French charge:
- “The charge was brave but broken by ground unseen, and many a noble fell not by sword but by earth.”
Legacy
The Battle of Morlaix demonstrated the growing effectiveness of English defensive tactics. The use of concealed pits combined with longbow fire foreshadowed later triumphs at Crécy and Poitiers. For Brittany, the battle prolonged the war of succession, ensuring that the region remained a contested battleground for years to come.
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