John Chandos - Military Career

Military Career

Chandos was one of the commanders who led the sixteen-year old Edward's troops to victory at the Battle of Crécy. As Edward's Chief of Staff, he designed the strategy that won victory at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356.

On 29 September 1364, Chandos led the forces of Duke John de Montfort to victory at the Battle of Auray, winning the Breton War of Succession and enabling de Montfort to become John V, Duke of Brittany.

In reward for his service, Chandos was created the lieutenant of France, the vice-chamberlain of England and was given the viscounty of Saint-Sauveur in the Cotentin. During the Hundred Years' War, he became constable of Aquitaine and seneschal of Poitou. Later, however, after disagreeing with Edward over how the Guyennois should be taxed, he retired to his property in Normandy.

In 1369, the French launched a successful counterattack, regaining much territory and forcing Edward to recall Chandos.

He was mortally wounded after a night skirmish at Lussac-les-Châteaux in Poitou. He became entangled in his robes after slipping on frost, and was stabbed in the face by a squire, James de St. Martin. He died at the castle of Morthemer on 31 December.

His passing was mourned on both sides; In his book, "A Brief History of The Hundred Years' War" Desmond Seward states that Charles V of France ("Charles the Wise") is reported to have said that "had Chandos lived, he would have found a way of making a lasting peace". Froissart is more circumspect, but says that "I have heard him at the time regretted by renowned knights in France; for they said it was a great pity he was slain, and that, if he could have been taken prisoner, he was so wise and full of devices, he would have found some means of establishing a peace between France and England".

Sir John Chandos is the founder of the Canto family in Portugal, which is believed to have later spread through Madeira and Azores (pt:Canto (apelido)).