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Illustration of military interest from
La chanson de Bertrand du Guesclin by Jean Cuvelier
Paris, France, c. 1380-1392
51r. Taking of Pestien
British Library MS Yates Thompson 35
Yates Thompson 35
Author: Jean Cuvelier
Title: La chanson de Bertrand du Guesclin
Origin: France, Central (Paris)
Date: between c. 1380 and 1392
Source: British Library.
The castle of Pestivien, owned by the Pestivien family, was held on July 10, 1355 by the King of England (Captain Roger David). Roger David (or Davy) was the husband of Jeanne de Rostrenen, widow of the viscount of Rohan who had been killed in the battle of Roche-Derrien near Charles de Blois. This castle was taken by Du Guesclin in 1363-1364, helped by the militia of Guingamp and about 6000 men. The siege ruined the castle.
Source: Bulat-Pestivien
BERTRAND DU GUESCLIN’S CAPTURE OF PESTIEN CASTLE
British Library, Yates Thompson 35, f. 51
Dating to about 1400, this illustration shows soldiers wearing mail and plate armor. The figures in the middle are wearing leg harnesses and visored bascinets. The defenders are wearing similar armor and are armed with crossbows and spears. It is not clear if they are wearing breastplates as the torsos are obscured by fabric coverings. The attackers are using longbows and are armed with spears and swords. While most are wearing bascinets, with or without visors, some are wearing kettle hats. The scene celebrates Bertrand Du Guesclin’s capture of Pestien Castle in 1364 and is found in Cuvelier’s “Life of Bertrand Du Guesclin.”
Source: p.272, Medieval Weapons: An Illustrated History of Their Impact by Kelly DeVries & Robert D. Smith (2007)
