Notre Dame Guesclin!

Here's a Perry figure painted up as the standard bearer for the famous former guerrilla leader turned  knight, and finally Constable of France, Bertrand du Guesclin. Bertrand du Guesclin was the eldest son of a minor Breton noble who took to the martial life from an early age. He initially served under Charles of Blois during the Wars of Breton Succession (1341-1364). During this time he also fought against some of the more famous English knights, including the Captal de Buch, Hugh Calveley, Sir John Chandos, and the Black Prince.

Du Guesclin defeated the forces under the captal at the Battle of Cocheral in 1364. The battle cry for the French forces was, "Notre Dame Guesclin!" as he was nominated by his peers to be the overall commander. At the Battle of Auray, where Charles of Blois was killed, du Guesclin was captured by Sir John Chandos.

The arms of the standard bearer are conjectural - being made up the arms of Brittany and France Modern. Du Guesclin's arms are a two-headed eagle with a red bend. The excellent flag was downloaded from the free site Dansk Figurspilsforening. This flag as well as numerous other HYW flags was created by the talented Rune Kramer.

At the Battle of Najera in Spain, du Guesclin was once again captured - this time by the Prince of Wales. King Charles V of France ransomed him and later made him Constable of France. Du Guesclin died of illness during a siege in 1380.