h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: The Massacre of Sir Edward Woodville's Isle of Wight Army at the Battle of St Aubin - A87824992
Author: Bluebottle - U43530

A hundred years ago this year, many men left England to fight in France for freedom and liberty, most never to return. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we Will Remember them.

Yet 526 years ago another band of men left to fight in France for freedom and liberty, all but one never to return, and they have been all but forgotten.

In fact, it is sadly a common story – throughout history countless people have left their homes, or defended them, fighting in various conflicts on differing sides for varying causes, few returning home to their wives and children, parents and friends. Many small conflicts altogether escaping the notice of pages in history books. To them this article is dedicated.

It was inspired by this month's Create theme, 'In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb', see: A87823902

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This is an interesting account of a more-or-less forgotten battle.
Wasn't mediaeval history complicated, with changing alliances, marriages, disputes over succession? You've obviously done a lot of research.

Just two small points:
In the sentence beginning 'On their return journey' you need this spelling of principal.

in the section 'The Battle of Breton' was it Alan d'Albert or Albret?

Thanks for spotting those! I've corrected the first, and as for the second, Albret is correct but the auto-corrector keeps correcting it to 'Albert'. Could be worse, when I wrote an eassay about Elizabeth I it kept changing it to 'Elizabeth and I', and handing in a work saying that 'Elizabeth and I defeated the Spanish Armada' could have got me into trouble...

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The name of the battle site still exists as a road name to the west of Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier

Lande de la Rencontre
35140 Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier
48.265629, -1.428347

I've added that to the 'Legacy' section. Have you been there, or did you look it up after reading this article?

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Been very close driven through the area

Had you heard about the battle before reading this then, either when you went through the area or at any other time?

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Only in passing and in no detail thats why it an interesting entry.
There is a St Aubin family estate near Basingstoke any connection.

There's also a St Aubin's Bay in Jersey, but he was a saint from Brittany rather than a Norman saint like most who were brought over with the conquest.

St Aubin was the Patron Saint of Protection from Pirates. Perhaps that estate dreads raids from the remains of the Basingstoke Canal?

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I enjoyed reading this account.

A few points I was confused by on readthrough:

"Following King Edward IV's death, Edward was uncle to the heir to the throne, King Edward V" - I'm not clear about what this means. Was Edward V the heir *before* Edward IV died, so he became king on Edward IV's death?

"on the 17 June, Trémoïlle marched his men first to Martigne Ferchaud on the 20th" - the sentence is funny somehow. I think this means the men started marching on 17 June, so the truce was broken on 6 July exactly.

"After a conference" is repeated twice in the next paragraph I see they liked conferences...

"Trémoïlle" is sometimes with la or La and sometimes not.

"After Sir Edward Woodville, the last Lord of the Isle of Wight, like the Channel Islands, would be ruled by a Governor until 1974" - I'm not sure about what this sentence is saying.

Pirates and suggleing was the family buisness in the 1700's.

This for me your best entry (just) to date still I enjoy this kind of entry

Hello SashaQ

I've reworded this article in the areas you've mentioned, so hopefully it is clearer now?

As for conferences, as the defenders were made up of a coalition of different forces from different countries, some there to fight for glory, some commanders just hoping to marry Anne of Brittany rather than actually fight a battle, different leaders had different ideas about what they should be doing, and so consequently didn't do anything until after constant debates. The French, meanwhile, had a very effective leader who commanded his forces well, with clear, defined objectives in mind.

You could summarise the battle with the words:
Men: Brittany: 12,000, France: 15,000 – Advantage France
Forces: Brittany: mainly feudal levies, France: trained professional soldiers – Advantage France
Leadership: Brittany: command divided between 8, France: one clear leader – Advantage France
Special Weapons: Brittany: approx. 500 archers, France: better cannon – No clear advantage

Overall, from the Isle of Wight perspective, they did not have enough archers to make a real difference, and as they were deployed in the front line, their advantage was nullified when they were surrounded by enemy forces and forced to fight in close combat.

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Excellent clarifications

Bob, when you drove through the area, did you take any photographs at all? Such as of the castle there? Just wondering as I've not been there at all.

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If you get the map ref location of the castle something might be arranged

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bout time you had an entry recommended its been ages Well done...