Background
Bertrand du Guesclin was born near Dinan, Brittany, France about 1320. He was the first-born son of Robert du Guesclin and Jeanne de Malmaines.
Bertrand du Guesclin was born near Dinan, Brittany, France about 1320. He was the first-born son of Robert du Guesclin and Jeanne de Malmaines.
In his youth he fought in the Breton war of succession on the side of Charles of Blois, and later entered the French service, in which he distinguished himself fighting against the English. In 1364 he was captured at Aurai by Sir John Chandos, but was ransomed the following year by King Charles V. The king wished to rid France of the marauding Free Companies, which in an interval of peace were ravaging France. Du Guesclin recruited an army and led it across the Pyrenees into Castile to aid Henry of Trastamara against his brother, Peter the Cruel, who was supported by the English under the Black Prince (Edward, Prince of Wales). By 1369, Henry and Du Guesclin had defeated their opponents, and the latter returned to France in 1370 to be made constable. He waged successful war on the English in Aquitaine, using guerrilla tactics, and drove them from Poitou and Saintonge.
Du Guesclin was noted for his physical strength.
At the age of 43, Bertrand du Guesclin married to Tiphaine de Raguenel, a 38-year old spinster with an equally strong personality.