Battle of Verneuil
The Battle of Verneuil was fought between English forces and a Franco-Scottish army in support of the Dauphin on 17th August 1424. Verneuil was a significant victory for the English, who overcame a larger French force.
Battle of Verneuil
One of the better known sources for the Battle of Verneuil is the Chronicle of Jean de Wavrin. A Burgundian, Wavrin fought for the French at Agincourt, but alongside the English in this clash.
“I saw the assembly at Agincourt, where there were many more princes and people, and also that of Cravant, which was a very pretty affair; but the assembly at Verneuil was certainly the most formidable of all and the best fought of them all.” Wavrin
Verneuil, a second Agincourt?
There are certainly similarities. The Dauphin had gathered as large an army as he could muster, including many Scots. The English formation was almost identical, coupled baggage train, infantry central, the archers on the two wings. The French approach was also like that at Agincourt:
“that they appointed a certain number of horsemen … for the purpose of dashing into their enemies from the rear or across them or otherwise… while the rest, all on foot… ranged themselves in a single company. Then they began to march proudly towards their enemies, with their lances lowered…”
And after the archers of both sides exchanged volleys of arrows, the English longbowmen were to prove decisive in the main battle.
“According to what I can understand, and I have since then heard several express the same opinion, the 2,000 English archers who… were a great cause of victory. For seeing the conflict so evenly fought… came wheeling round in front of their army… where at their coming they began to inflict great punishment on the French.”
The outcome was a crushing defeat for the Dauphinist force. It was a psychologically important victory, restoring the sense of English invincibility that had been tarnished by the death of the Duke of Clarence in battle. The loss of so many men also resulted in the Dauphin’s campaigning on a major scale being set back for some time.
All quotes are from Wavrin.
Image Credits
Featured Image: Les Vigiles de Charles VII, manuscrit de Martial d’Auvergne, vers 1484, BnF, Manuscrit Français 5054, enluminure du folio 32 verso.
llumination from La Cronicque du temps de Tres Chrestien Roy Charles, septisme de ce nom, roy de France by Jean Chartier, c. 1470–1479.
Sir William Bowes 1389-1460? was my relation a thousand years ago I’ve received the linage/pedigree from my father and he from his great grandfather, Thomas H. Bowes. I’m trying to tidy up this bound book of my family’s history. Any resources would be greatly appreciated.