The Combat of the Thirty

The Combat of the Thirty took place in France on 26^th March 1351, during the Breton War of Succession. It even took place in front of a crowd, who were supplied with refreshments and the combatants even took a half time break!

Why did it happen?

To explain, there was a struggle between the House of Montfort and House of Blois for control of the Duchy of Brittany, which was part of the Hundred Years War between France and England.   The English supported the Montfort’s and France supported the Blois family, however, by March 1351 the war had reached an impasse, with each side controlling different parts of Brittany, while making raids into the other part.

The Challenge

This led Jean de Beaumanoir, one of the House of Blois captains, on the French side, to challenging Robert Bemborough, a captain of House of Montfort, who supported the English.  The challenge was enthusiastically accepted by Bemborough, the challenge was that each side bring 30 selected fighters, knights and squires, to a field halfway between their two castles, and to fight until one side was beaten.

They met and started fighting

That is what they did for several hours, in front of:

• A large crowd that came along to watch
• Who enjoyed refreshments.
• Of course, as they were all gentleman, halfway through they stopped, had a break, and some refreshments.
• They used the break to clear the field of the wounded.
• Then they started all over again.

Eventually, after several hours, the French side won, when, a squire, Guillaume de Montauban, rode straight into the English line, breaking it. As he killed seven of the English champions, those left surrendered. The prisoners were then taken, well treated, and, finally, released on payment of a small ransom.

The event has been celebrated by medieval chroniclers and balladeers as an example of real chivalry.  

However, most say that it was for the honour of the two ladies who led the two sides, being Joan, Duchess of Brittany (House of Blois) and Joanna of Flanders (House of Montfort). They were both available as Joan’s husband had been captured and Joanna’s was dead.  

Could this be described as fun history!

10 questions to discuss:

1. 1. 1. Motivation: Beyond settling a stalemate, what specific grievances might Beaumanoir and Bemborough have had, leading them to challenge each other?
      2. Selection: How were the 30 fighters chosen on each side? Were there specific skills or backgrounds sought after?
      3. Rules of Engagement: Did the “gentlemanly” conduct extend beyond the halftime break? Were there limitations on weapons or tactics used?
      4. Spectator Impact: Did the presence of the crowd and refreshments influence the fighters’ behavior or morale?
      5. Chivalry vs. Pragmatism: While celebrated for its chivalric aspect, was the Combat purely symbolic, or did it have any strategic impact on the larger war?
      6. Role of Women: While the blog mentions the two ladies involved, how directly did they influence the decision for combat or its outcome?
      7. Guillaume de Montauban: Were there other individual heroes besides him, and what made his actions so decisive?
      8. Long-Term Impact: Did the Combat of the Thirty set any precedents for future conflicts, or was it considered a unique event?
      9. Modern Perspective: How would historians or military experts today judge the significance and practicality of such a battle format?
      10. Alternative Outcomes: If the English line hadn’t broken, how might the battle and the war in Brittany have unfolded differently?

These questions go beyond summarizing the event and encourage critical thinking about its motivations, impact, and historical context.

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