Battle of Verneuil
Verneuil-sur-Avre, Normandy, France
What happened
An English army under John, Duke of Bedford, fought a French and Scottish army with Milanese cavalry, during the Hundred Years' War. The two armies faced each other for hours in the summer heat before the English advanced. Milanese horsemen broke through part of the English line but rode off after the baggage. The armed men on foot then fought for about three-quarters of an hour until the French line gave way.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The win secured English control of Normandy and delayed the crowning of Charles VII at Reims. The English called it 'a second Agincourt'.
What came next
Bedford chose to conquer Maine and Anjou step by step instead of driving south. The Scottish army in France was badly weakened and got far fewer new soldiers from Scotland.
Did you know?
The town of Verneuil was taken by a trick: Scots pretended to be English soldiers with prisoners, and the gates were opened.
Timeline
- 1422Bedford becomes regent of France for his nephew Henry VI.
- 17 August 1424Battle of Verneuil.
- 1431Henry VI is crowned in Paris.
- 14 September 1435Bedford dies at Rouen.