Amaury de Clisson
Amaury de Clisson | |
|---|---|
| Breton Knight and Emissary to England | |
 Coat of Arms Clisson Cadet Family | |
| Born | around 1304 Château de Clisson, Brittany |
| Died | 2nd August 1347 Battle of La Roche-Derrien |
| Nationality | Breton |
| Noble family | de Clisson |
| Spouse(s) | Isabeau de Ramefort |
| Issue | Amaury II de Clisson, Isabeau de Clisson, Mahaut de Clisson |
| Father | Olivier III de Clisson |
| Mother | Isabelle de Craon |
Amaury de Clisson (1304–1347), was a Breton knight who became the chief emissary for Jeanne de Penthièvre to the court of Edward III of England. He was also the brother of Olivier IV de Clisson who became embroiled in the intrigue of the Siege of Vannes and was subsequently executed by the King of France for perceived treason. [1]
Marriage
Amaury married Isabeau de Ramefort, Dame of Ramefort and Mortiercrolles, probably celebrated in Angers in 1333. They had three children:
- Amaury II, who died with no issue;
- Isabeau, who after the death of her brother, married in 1354 to Renaud d'Ancenis. By March 8, 1383, Isabeau had lost her husband; and
- Mahaut, who married Guy de Bauçay.
During the Breton War of Succession
During the Breton War of Succession, Amaury sided with the English choice for the empty Breton ducal crown, John de Montfort, against the French preference, Charles de Blois. His brother, Olivier IV did not support this view. As a result of his prominence in the Montfortist camp, his lands in France were confiscated in October 1344 and given to William the Binder.
Emissary to England
Amaury concluded an agreement on behalf of the Montfortists on the 10th March 1342, in Westminister with Edward III of England and returned to Brittany with 6000 archers saving the de Montforts who at this stage were besieged at the port city of Hennebont. [2]
Defender of Hennebont
Amaury remained the main Breton commander at Hennebont against the Franco-Breton siege of the city. Chroniclers, state that two captured Breton knights were to be killed by Luis de la Cerda at the foot of the cities rampart. The Anglo-Breton defenders apparently had spies in Franco-Breton camp and became aware of the situation, resolving to try everything to snatch them back. While Amaury de Clisson simulated a distraction to attract the attention of the besiegers, the English co-commander Walter de Mauny diverted around the walls and recaptured the two knights returning with them.
Battle of La Roche-Derrien
Amaury was involved and apparently killed in the Battle of La Roche-Derrien which was fought on 20th June 1347 during the night between Anglo-Breton and Franco-Breton forces. Approximately 4,000–5,000 French, Breton and Genoese mercenaries which laid siege to the town of La Roche-Derrien in the hope of luring the Anglo-Bretons into open pitched battle.
See also
- Olivier IV de Clisson, his brother
- Jean de Beaumanoir, opposing co-commander in the army of Charles de Blois.
- Luis de la Cerda, opposing co-commander in the army of Charles de Blois.
- Charles, Duke of Brittany
- John IV, Duke of Brittany
- Philip VI of France
References
- ^ Bougraud, F. Some notes on the Lords of Clisson (1180-1320), in Bulletin de la societe archaeogique et historique de Nantes et de Loire-Atlantique, 2000, pgs 112-115
- ^ on March 10, 1342, the letters patent of Edward 3, King of England, announced that, by agreement between him and Amaury de Clisson, tutor of John, son of John, Duke of Brittany and Count of Montfort and Richmond, all the villae, burgi, castra, fortalitia and portus maris of the Duchy of Brittany were to be handed over to Edward 3 during the duration of the war in Brittany. The king and Amaury de Clisson also agreed to entrust the custody of all these places to a Walter de Mauny (Peyronnet, G., The sources of the medieval history of Brittany in England, in Annales de Bretagne, t.96, no 3, pg 306