Anjou, Bar, Lorraine and Provence

Abstract

The prospects of victory looked good to duke René when he chose to attack count Antoine de Vaudemont and his Burgundian supporters near Bulgnéville in Bar, on 2 July 1431.¹ Charles VII of France had sent him a force led by the renowned ‘knight without reproach’, Arnauld-Guilhem, lord of Barbazan. René also had detachments formed by his Lorraine vassals and German allies altogether numbering about 7500, but his ordnance was scanty and his soldiers included few skilled bowmen. Vaudemont, who was claiming the duchy of Lorraine, only had an army of about 4000 but it included bowmen from the Flemish towns of his ally the duke of Burgundy and 400 more led by two experienced English captains. He also enjoyed the services of the great Burgundian commander, Antoine de Toulongeon, and formidable artillery: men of all ranks were ordered to fight on foot on pain of death. Against the advice of Barbazan and other older knights René decided to attack the enemy in their good defensive position, protected by a stream and fortified by ditches and palisades. Vaudemont was apparently assisted by an omen: a stag ran between the armies, stopped, beating its hooves three times on the earth, and then dashed amongst René’s forces causing confusion.² René’s men were subjected to devastating fire from the Burgundian cannons and arrows and Barbazan was soon killed.