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Ermine: Men of Iron Volume VII

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Ermine: Men of Iron Volume VII

Ermine: Men of Iron Volume VII

Select Item #: GMT-MOI7
GMT Games
GMT Games


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The death of Duke John III of Brittany in 1341, just 4 years after the beginning of the Hundred Years’ War, would spark a dynastic conflict between Joan de Penthièvre, his niece, and John of Montfort, his nephew. Both sides would be backed by the Kings of France and England, respectively. Charles de Blois, Joan’s husband, was the primary military leader of the French-backed side and would be present in almost all of the battles during the conflict. Meanwhile, the Montfort faction would see numerous different ambitious and capable military leaders, who were regularly outnumbered by the French troops.

The war was characterized by a series of military engagements and shifting allegiances, as both factions sought to solidify their claims. The conflict not only featured traditional battles but also included skirmishes, sieges, and political manoeuvring, drawing in various local noble families, as well as notable mercenaries.

As the war unfolded, it became intertwined with the broader context of the Hundred Years’ War, further complicating the regional dynamics. Ultimately, the war concluded with the Treaty of Guérande in 1365, which recognized John de Montfort’s son (also called John de Montfort, you’ll find that most of the major political players during this conflict were called either John or Joan) as the Duke of Brittany, establishing his lineage and ending the immediate succession crisis. This resolution would have lasting implications for Brittany's political landscape and its relationship with both France and England.

This entry is echoing Richard’s Berg design intent of the original Men of Iron, whose focus was to highlight the re-emergence of infantry on the battlefield at the beginning of the Hundred Years’ War. It will cover the 6 major battles during the War, as well as an extra one which saw many of the commanders and knights of the Breton conflict take part.

The battles include:
Champtoceux 14th October 1341 – The opening engagement of the war, sparked by Charles de Blois besieging the castle of Champtoceux. John de Montfort rode to relieve the siege and was defeated in the field.

Morlaix 30th September 1341 – With John de Montfort imprisoned in France, his wife Jeanne de Flanders petitioned King Edward III of England for assistance, which came in the form of an expeditionary force led by the Earl of Northampton. Northampton laid siege to Morlaix, which Charles de Blois sought to relieve. The English had little time to prepare for the French attack, but did manage to dig a trench hidden behind a low hedge, just in front of their line, hoping it would be enough to blunt the charge of the oncoming French Knights.

La-Roche-Derrien 20th June 1347 – The Earl of Northampton secured control of the town of La Roche-Derrien in 1343, which proved to be a vital strategic stronghold for the control of the northern half of the Duchy. Charles de Blois gathered a very large host and besieged the town. The English did not have a large army to relieve the siege through a conventional field battle, which led to Thomas Dagworth’s daring night attack with barely 800 men, less than a quarter of the number of French troops.

Mauron 14th August 1352 – Sir Walter Bentley and Sir Robert Knolles, who had just recently returned with reinforcements from England, had been spending the month of July relieving sieges and establishing control in central Brittany. Guy de Nesle, the Marshal of France, moved south to wipe this force out. De Nesle’s army, primarily composed of mounted Knights, was several times bigger than the English one. As such, de Nesle offered to allow the English to leave the field without a fight, providing they left central Brittany. The English refused.

Cochorel 16th May 1364 – Whilst not part of the War of the Breton Succession, many of the soldiers and Knights in this battle were present and influential in it. Primarily Bertrand du Guescelin, the Eagle of Brittany, a Breton Knight who was one of the most important military figures of the early Hundred Years’ War. Taking place over a bridge and near a large hill, Cocherel saw the forces of the Kingdoms of Navarra and England square up against the forces of the Kingdom of France and was a crucial battle for the French to win in order to retain control of the south of France following several years of setbacks.

Auray 29th September 1364 – The final battle in the War of the Breton Succession saw John de Montfort's forces, numbering around 5,000 and backed by the English, face off against Charles de Blois's French-supported army of about 10,000. Despite being outnumbered, Montfort's troops effectively utilized English archers and executed strategic maneuvers. The battle culminated in the capture of de Blois, leading to Montfort's decisive victory. This victory solidified his claim to the Duchy of Brittany and paved the way for the Treaty of Guérande in 1365, which recognized his rule and reduced French influence in the region.

Components:

  • Three 22” x 34” Game Maps (back-printed)
  • Two Countersheets
  • Two Player Aid Cards
  • One Rulebook
  • One Playbook
  • Two 10-sided Dice
  • One Flight Point Track
Time scale: 1-5 hours
Map scale: about 110 yards per hex
Units: about 500 for Infantry, 250 for Missile units, and 150 for Mounted Men-at-Arms
Players: 1-2

Game Designer: Pierre Vagneur-Jones
Game Developer: Jason Lindsay
Publisher GMT Games

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