Origins & Early Life

Bertrand du Guesclin (Breton: Beltram Gwesklin; c. 1320 – 13 July 1380), nicknamed "The Eagle of Brittany" or "The Black Dog of Brocéliande", was a Breton knight and an important military commander on the French side during the Hundred Years' War. From 1370 to his death, he was Constable of France for King Charles V. Well known for his Fabian strategy of avoiding major battles where possible, he took part in seven pitched battles and won the five in which he held command.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Bertrand du Guesclin was born at Motte-Broons near Dinan, in Brittany, first-born son of Robert du Guesclin and Jeanne de Malmaines. His date of birth is unknown, but is thought to have been sometime in 1320. His family was of minor Breton nobility, the seigneurs of Broons. His native language was Gallo, a langue d'oïl. Bertrand's family may have claimed descent from Aquin, the legendary Muslim king of Bougie in Africa (Viking in effect, the legend conflates Saracens and Arabs with Normans and places Aiquin's origins in the north country) a conceit derived from the Roman d'Aquin, a thirteenth-century French chanson de geste from Brittany.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

He initially served Charles...

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