Bertrand du Guesclin renversé de son cheval et capturé par John Chandos à Auray

This illustration by Paul de Sémant depicts Bertrand du Guesclin thrown from his horse and captured by Sir John Chandos at the Battle of Auray in 1364. The scene focuses on a dramatic moment of combat: at the center, Du Guesclin is shown on the ground, surrounded by knights and men-at-arms in the midst of battle, while lances, swords, and horses heighten the impression of confusion and violence. The image emphasizes the sudden reversal of fortune characteristic of medieval warfare, where the fall of a commander could shape the outcome of an engagement. Produced long after the events, it is not a contemporary witness but a historical reconstruction that contributes to the heroic and tragic memory of Du Guesclin in the context of the Breton War of Succession and the Hundred Years’ War.