Key Facts
- Campaign dates
- October 1342 – March 1343
- Truce agreed
- 19 January 1343 at Malestroit
- Truce duration intended
- 3.5 years
- Brest blockade broken
- 18 August 1342
- Battle of Morlaix
- English victory over larger French force, 30 September 1342
Strategic Narrative Overview
An English fleet broke Brest's blockade in August 1342, and an outnumbered English force defeated the French at Morlaix on 30 September. Edward III landed in late October after a storm-delayed crossing and advanced on Vannes. Naval forces failed to take the town by surprise; a land assault on 29 November was repelled by a reinforced garrison. English raiding parties ravaged eastern Brittany while a large French army gathered at Malestroit, about 18 miles from the English camp.
01 / The Origins
England and France had been at war since 1337 in the Hundred Years' War. When the War of the Breton Succession broke out in 1341, England backed John of Montfort's claim to the Duchy of Brittany, while French king Philip VI supported his nephew Charles of Blois. By August 1342, Charles had captured John and reduced English-allied forces to a single stronghold at Brest, prompting direct English military intervention.
03 / The Outcome
With supply lines failing and a substantial French army in position, Philip VI entered direct negotiations with Edward III. The Truce of Malestroit, agreed on 19 January 1343, was intended to halt hostilities for three and a half years and was widely considered to favour England. Edward departed Brittany for England on 1 March 1343, leaving the question of the Breton succession unresolved.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
2 belligerents
Edward III of England.
Side B
2 belligerents
Philip VI of France, Charles of Blois.
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.