Battle of Auray

Timeline

1. 1364Southern Brittany · BrittanySince 1341, when Jean de Montfort and Charles of Blois contested the Breton succession, the war had dragged on for over twenty years. By 1364, Montfort's son Jean IV had consolidated his position with English support, while the Blois faction had French backing; Bertrand du Guesclin arrived with French reinforcements to join Charles of Blois, and the two sides faced off near Auray with battle imminent.
2. 1364Auray · BrittanyOn 29 September, the English commander John Chandos led the Montfort–English forces against the Blois–French army in fierce fighting. Breton nobles such as Olivier de Clisson took part. During the battle Charles of Blois was killed by arrow or in close combat, and the Blois line collapsed; du Guesclin was briefly captured before being released. The Montfort faction won a decisive field victory, tipping the balance of the Breton succession war.
3. 1364–1365Brittany · BrittanyThe death of Charles of Blois deprived the Blois faction of its core claim, and his widow Jeanne de Penthièvre could no longer sustain the candidacy. The Treaty of Guérande (1365) confirmed Jean IV as Duke of Brittany, compensated the Penthièvre family, and formally ended the succession war. The Battle of Auray is thus seen as a turning point in medieval Breton politics and also reflects the extension of the Hundred Years' War into local succession conflicts.