Sir John Chandos (c. 1320–31 December 1369) emerged from modest landed gentry at Radbourne Hall in Derbyshire. Although he held no hereditary title, his rise through military competence and loyalty to Edward the Black Prince allowed him to become one of England’s most distinguished commanders in the Hundred Years’ War.
He was among the original Knights of the Garter, likely around 1348 or 1349, and remains immortalised on a stall plate in St George’s Chapel, Windsor, above the eleventh stall on the south side.
His arms are described heraldically as “argent, a pile gules.” Variations appear in period manuscripts such as the Bruges Garter Book, though the argent version is most commonly accepted.
Military Leadership and Tactical Insight
Chandos was a trusted lieutenant to the Black Prince. He fought at Crécy in 1346 and helped shape the outcome at Poitiers in 1356 through his strategic deployment of longbowmen and disciplined infantry formations.
At Poitiers, he played a critical role in coordinating the Gascon men‑at‑arms and English archers, helping to secure the capture of the French king and a stunning English victory.
He also led the English to success at Auray in 1364, concluding the Breton War of Succession to the advantage of Duke John de Montfort. In Spain in 1367, he supported the Black Prince at the Battle of Nájera, helping to defeat Castilian forces, though financial strains soon followed.
Chandos was not only a field commander but also an administrator. After Poitiers, he served as Seneschal of Poitou and Constable (or lieutenant) of Guyenne, demonstrating political acumen in managing these territories.
His end came in a minor skirmish near Lussac‑les‑Châteaux in late 1369. Slipping on frost, he was struck in the face and, despite efforts to treat the wound, died shortly after in Mortemer.
Contemporaries regarded him as courteous, honourable, and deeply strategic, a knight of integrity admired by both allies and foes. Froissart and others believed that had he lived, he may have brokered a lasting peace between England and France.
Arms and Armour
No surviving examples of Chandos’ personal arms or armour have been confirmed. However, his visual legacy endures through heraldic and manuscript depictions:
- Bruges Garter Book: Depicts his coat of arms and provides a period representation of his status as a knight.
- Stall Plate: Located in St George’s Chapel, it gives insight into how he was commemorated by his peers.
He likely wore transitional mail and plate armour typical of mid‑14th century English commanders: chainmail hauberk with additional plate elements, bascinet with aventail, and possibly a surcoat displaying his heraldry.
Where to See Artifacts and Memorials
- St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle: Home to his Garter stall plate. It remains one of the most direct links to his life and honours.
- Mazerolles, France: A cenotaph marks the spot near the bridge where he was mortally wounded. Maintained for centuries, it was declared a historic monument in the early 20th century.
Archaeology and Material Legacy
There are no known battlefield excavations or direct archaeological finds linked to Chandos. The skirmish at Lussac-les-Châteaux has not yielded significant artefacts, and his burial site remains uncertain.
What remains is his enduring reputation in written chronicles and the quiet visual echoes of his arms and memorials.
The Seven Swords Takeaway
Sir John Chandos was never a king, duke, or great landowner. Yet through discipline, intelligence, and a sense of honour, he helped shape the course of the Hundred Years’ War. He was the type of knight others followed willingly, not out of obligation, but out of respect.
His name may not be as widely remembered as Edward or Henry, but for those who look beyond thrones and crowns, Chandos represents the kind of warrior-leader who gave English chivalry its sharpest edge.
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