The Battle of Patay took place on 18 June 1429 and was the final offensive of the French Army's Loire Campaign during the Hundred Years' War.
Background
After the English abandoned the Siege of Orléans in May 1429, the French army, led by the Duke of Alençon and Jeanne d'Arc, aimed to capture English-held positions along the Loire. On 11 June, they took Jargeau, seized the Meung-sur-Loire bridge, and bypassed the nearby castle to besiege Beaugency on 16 June. Facing a reinforced English army under Sir John Fastolf, which had joined with survivors from Orléans, the French successfully pressured Beaugency to surrender. John Talbot ordered for a full frontal assault, though the cautious Fastolf opposed a direct battle against the larger French force, leading to a strategic English setback.[1] Talbot agreed with Fastolf to retreat toward Paris. The French, aware of the move, pursued and intercepted the English army near Patay.[2]
Battle
The English mirrored their tactics they had previously used at Agincourt more than a decade ago,[1] employing longbowmen to devastating effect by having them rain arrows on the French while positioning strategically defensive stakes to counter their cavalry.[3] Jeanne led the French forces in pursuit of the retreating English, assuring Alençon of impending success,[1] although some sources claim that Jeanne did not fight in the battle at all.[2]
Notably, the English numerical advantage[2] proved useless when their longbowmen inadvertently exposed the army's position by raising a hunting cry at seeing a nearby stag,[2][1] unaware that French scouts were also within the vicinity. The vanguard promptly raced back and relayed their findings to command, who elected to surprise the English with a cavalry flanking while the infantry faced them head-on.[2] The brief battle, lasting under an hour, resulted in approximately 2,000 English casualties, including the capture of notable figures like Talbot, much to Joan's satisfaction. The French, in contrast, suffered minimal losses, with only three soldiers killed[1] and 100 wounded.[2]
Appearances
- Assassin's Creed: Heresy (indirect mention only)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Assassin's Creed: Heresy – Chapter 26
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5
Battle of Patay on Wikipedia
- ↑ Battle of Agincourt on Wikipedia
