A Study of What French Armies Wore, Used in the Hundred Years' War

Epoch Times

10-05-2025

The Hundred Years' War is one of the most fascinating eras of the past millennium. The war between England and France in the 14th and 15th centuries created some of history's most notable figures, from Charles V, known as 'the philosopher king' to Henry V, perhaps most remembered fictionally from William Shakespeare's play, to Edward the Black Prince, and to, of course, the heroine, Joan of Arc.
The latter is, though somewhat peripherally, the object of a new work by Philippe Gaillard. 'Joan of Arc's Army: French Armies Under Charles VII, 1415–53,' despite its title, only briefly discusses the historic French heroine. The short book focuses on the soldiers, military garb, weapons, and ranks of the French armies. These primary focuses are not solely the French, but the allies who fought with the French, such as the Welsh, Scottish, Castilians, Lombards, and Burgundians.
As Gaillard notes, not all of these allies were specifically allied with the French monarch, King Charles VII. Many were allied with the French nobles who, after the Battle of Agincourt (1415), 'held back from supporting the Dauphin' (Charles VII).
Collage of paintings representing battles of the Hundred Years' War. Clockwise, from top left: La Rochelle, Agincourt, Patay, Joan of Arc at the Siege of Orléans.
Problems With the Professional Soldier
According to Gaillard, the nobles 'concentrated on protecting their own domains against marauders, and often concluded local truces with enemy armies. Consequently, Charles's ambassadors were obliged to range throughout Europe, seeking the services of professional soldiers in Spain, Savoy, Lombardy, Lorraine, Germany, and even Austria.'
Certainly, the Hundred Years' War was a very long conflict with intermittent peace. During these times of peace, though, there was still violence and chaos in France. Hired mercenaries and out of work soldiers, known as 'skinners,' who were supposedly loyal to the French monarchy, pillaged French towns and villages. The book quotes one witness explaining that these 'skinners' resorted to such action 'because no lord is putting an end to the war, and because the soldiers are not being paid.' Due to this perhaps unforeseen calamity, 'Charles VII began to create a permanent army.'
The Necessity of Artists
The armies, and their varying ranks, is the highlight of the book, especially from the perspective of its illustrations. These were created by the accomplished illustrator Florent Vincent, who has worked with numerous authors, as well as museums, including the Museum of National Antiquities of St-Germain-en-Laye, the Museum of the Army of Paris, and the Archaeological Museum of Frankfurt.
A prominent section of the book is dedicated to Vincent's work, which is some of the better artwork I've seen in recent Osprey publications. These include knights, men-at-arms, and foot soldiers. Among them is also Joan of Arc. Additionally, Vincent presents the standards (banners) that were used by the king and nobles. In direct reference to the artistry of the banners, the book notes that '[a]rtists contributed to the war effort by painting thousands of shields and flags.'
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Readers will obtain a thorough grasp of what combatants looked like during this time. The descriptions by Gaillard combined with the visuals of Vincent is very helpful. The book also showcases historical works of art depicting certain battles during this latter portion of the Hundred Years' War. Along with these depictions are images of helmets, swords, pollaxes, and other weapons and protective gear.
Interesting War Contributors
'Joan of Arc's Army' not only discusses those who fought, but also those who ensured the soldiers would be able to fight effectively. These include the carpenters, merchants, and even the prostitutes that joined the camps. Although not necessary for the soldiers, these positions proved necessary for the workers themselves. War was often an economic driver, and all involved benefited.
Interestingly, Gaillard mentions another economic factor: horses. Horses were not simply modes of transportation or a superior method of combat. Many soldiers desired horses because they reflected an air of importance and superiority, and being seen as important in towns and cities carried a lot of weight. This directly created a supply-and-demand issue. Strong demand from war itself would have driven up the cost of these horses, but as horses died, the supply inevitably shrank. Combined with the need for horses from a social capital perspective, the cost only went higher. Nonetheless, soldiers were apparently willing to pay, and those who sold horses undoubtedly benefited financially.
Gaillaird and Vincent's new work presents many interesting angles to the Hundred Years' War, and does so with brevity. For those looking for a detailed work regarding the soldiers and nobles of the latter part of this historic war, this is a good choice. Additionally, for those who enjoy visiting museums, 'Joan of Arc's Army' could prove a helpful guide when perusing the Medieval sections.
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By Philippe Gaillard and Florent Vincent
Osprey Publishing, Oct. 22, 2024
Paperback: 48 pages
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