Daily Knowledge by appYeah

15th-century illustration of the siege

The siege of Hennebont took place between late May and late June 1342 when the forces of Charles of Blois conducted an unsuccessful siege of the fortified port of Hennebont, commanded by Joanna of Montfort. The conflict was a part of the Breton Civil War, complicated by the pre-existing Hundred Years' War between France and England. Philip VI of France provided Charles, his nephew, with an army; this overran eastern Brittany and moved on Hennebont. On arrival part of the army attacked some of the town's defenders who were formed up outside its gate, but the French were pushed back in a disorderly retreat (pictured). The Montfortists pursued, inflicting many casualties and burning the French camp. Two days later, the French launched a series of better-planned assaults, but all were repulsed. The main French force moved on, leaving a detachment to attempt to starve the town into surrender. In late June, after a small English force had reinforced the town by sea, this too left. (Full article...)