Guesclin, Bertrand du c.1320-1380
French soldier, Constable of France

Born near Dinan, he took part in the contests for the dukedom of Brittany. After King John II's capture at Poitiers in 1356, du Guesclin displayed military skill against the English particularly at Rennes (1356) and Dinan (1357), until he was taken prisoner at Auray, and ransomed. He next supported Henry of Trastamare against Pedro, the Cruel, King of Castile, but was defeated and taken prisoner by Edward, the Black Prince (1367). Again ransomed, he defeated Pedro in 1309, and crowned Henry of Trastamare, but was recalled by Charles V of France to be made Constable of France. In 1370 he opened his campaigns against the English, and soon nearly all their possessions were in the hands of the French. He died during the Siege of Ch�teauneuf de Randon.