John Chandos

Lore & Background

Chandos was the son and heir of Sir Edward Chandos, lord of the manor of Radbourne. He trained in the arts of war and distinguished himself as a young knight. According to Henry Knighton's chronicles, on the eve of the Battle of Sluys, Edward III sent Chandos with Sir Reginald Cobham and Sir Stephen Lambkin to reconnoitre the French fleet. Chandos was a leading figure at the Battle of Crécy. As Chief of Staff to Edward the Black Prince, he designed the strategy that won the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. In 1360, Chandos was created a knight banneret, which allowed him to hold a banner in battle, and was made Viscount of Saint-Sauveur by Edward III. On 29 September 1364, he led Duke John de Montfort's forces to victory at the Battle of Auray, winning the Breton War of Succession. In reward, he was created lieutenant of France, vice-chamberlain of England, and given the viscounty of Saint-Sauveur in the Cotentin. He became constable of Aquitaine. After disagreeing with Edward over how the Guyennois should be taxed, he retired to his property in Normandy. In 1369, the French counterattacked, and Edward recalled Chandos, appointing him seneschal of Poitou. He died on 31 December 1369 (or early 1 January 1370) from a lance wound to the face received at the bridge of Lussac.

Reader's Guide

Chandos was a close friend of Edward the Black Prince and a founding member of the Order of the Garter. Unlike most commanders of his era, he held no inherited title of nobility, being born to an obscure family of landed gentry. He trained in the arts of war and distinguished himself as a young knight. According to the chronicler Henry Knighton, on the eve of the Battle of Sluys, Chandos was sent ashore with two other knights to reconnoitre the French fleet. He served as Chief of Staff to the Black Prince at the Battle of Crécy and designed the strategy that won the Battle of Poitiers. In 1364, he led the forces of John de Montfort to victory at the Battle of Auray, ending the Breton War of Succession. For his service, he was made Viscount of Saint-Sauveur and later Constable of Aquitaine. After disagreeing with Edward over taxation, he retired to his Norman property. Recalled in 1369 as Seneschal of Poitou, he died in a night skirmish at the bridge of Lussac when his long coat made him slip on frost, and a squire struck him below the eye with a lance. His death was mourned on both sides; Charles V of France reportedly said that had Chandos lived, he would have found a way to make a lasting peace. A cenotaph marking the spot where he fell is still maintained in Mazerolles.

Did You Know?

• Chandos was the 19th Knight of the Order of the Garter in 1348.
• He was created a knight banneret in 1360, allowing him to hold a banner in battle.
• His herald, known as Chandos Herald, wrote a poem titled 'The Life of the Black Prince'.
• Charles V of France reportedly said that had Chandos lived, he would have found a way of making a lasting peace.