Battle of Brignais

Timeline

1. 1360–1362Burgundy–Lyon region · LyonAfter the 1360 Treaty of Brétigny, the unpaid Grandes Compagnies (Tard-Venus) continued to plunder Burgundy, Mâconnais and the area around Lyon. In 1361 the threat approached Lyon and local defenses were strengthened; in March 1362 the mercenaries seized Brignais as an operational base, prompting the royal mustering of a punitive force.
2. 1362Brignais–Saint-Genis-Laval line · RhôneMarshal of France Jacques de Bourbon advanced from Saint-Genis-Laval with about 12,000 men against the besieged Brignais. Froissart claimed the mercenaries divided their forces: one contingent pinned the French head-on along the road, the other lay in ambush on the hills; lacking reconnaissance, the French failed in two frontal assaults and were outflanked. Villani instead recorded that Petit Meschin returned from Forez, attacking the French camp under cover of night and high ground while the garrison sortied simultaneously.
3. 1362Brignais · BrignaisThe French army was almost annihilated: Jacques de Bourbon and his eldest son Pierre de Bourbon, and Louis d'Albret, Count of Forez, were killed; many nobles were captured, as was the mercenary captain Arnaud de Cervole, who had previously served the French side. Although victorious, the mercenaries did not besiege Lyon. The battle exposed royal powerlessness against irregular mercenary tactics and spurred calls for joint suppression of mercenary activity and reform.