Loire Campaign (1429)

The Loire Campaign was an important battle during the Hundred Years' War. It happened in the year 1429 and was led by a brave young woman named Joan of Arc. Her goal was to help France push back the soldiers from England and the Burgundians, who were fighting on the side of England.

During this campaign, Joan and her friends traveled along the Loire River. They worked hard to remove all the enemy soldiers from the area. This was a big step in helping France win the war and protect their country.

The Loire Campaign showed how brave and determined Joan of Arc was. Her actions helped change the course of the war and made her a hero to many people in France.

Campaign

The English, led by John, Duke of Bedford, sent John, Lord Talbot to surround the city of Orléans. They were very close to winning.

But Joan of Arc led fights back against them. With help from Gilles de Rais, Jean de Dunois, and Jean de Brosse, she attacked the English positions. The English could not hold off these attacks. Lord Talbot had to pull back and end the surround.

Main article: Battle of Jargeau

Next, Joan and John II, Duke of Alençon moved to take Jargeau from the English leader, the Earl of Suffolk. The English had 700 soldiers, but the French had 1,200. After a fight, the English agreed to give up. Suffolk was captured, and Joan’s army moved to Meung-sur-Loire to start another attack.

Main article: Battle of Meung-sur-Loire

Joan then attacked Meung-sur-Loire. The English had walls, a bridge defense, and a big castle outside the town. Joan’s group, led by Duke John II of Alençon and including Jean d'Orléans, Gilles de Rais, Jean Poton de Xaintrailles, and La Hire, was much bigger than the English force led by Lord Talbot and Lord Scales. They attacked and took the bridge defense, making it hard for the English to move south of the Loire River.

Main article: Battle of Beaugency (1429)

Joan kept moving forward. She attacked Beaugency. With Duke John II of Alençon and her team, she fought against John Talbot. The English left the town and went into the castle. The French followed and the English agreed to give up safely.

Main article: Battle of Patay

After this, an English army led by Sir John Fastolf came from Paris. The French had already taken three bridges and the English at Beaugency had given up. The French found the English army at a place called Patay. The English were ready with longbows, but the French cavalry attacked quickly. The English soldiers were overwhelmed, and many were captured or lost. The famous general John Talbot was captured by Captain Jean Dagneau.