1373-1377: Lancaster's Chevauchee, the Truce of Bruges, and the Return of War

From 1369 onward, England was losing ground to siege warfare and political defections. To reverse this, it revived large-scale chevauchee strategy: devastation intended to force strategic collapse.

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🗡️ 1373: John of Gaunt’s Great Chevauchee

John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, led a massive raid across France. French response was deliberate:

• hold bridges, towns, and fortified positions;
• maintain continuous harassment;
• refuse decisive pitched battle.

The campaign lengthened, exhausted men and horses, and reached Bordeaux in weakened condition. Devastation did not produce reconquest.

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⚖️ 1375: The Truce of Bruges

Mediation and exhaustion led to a truce at Bruges (July 1375), lasting to 1377. It did not solve the war, but confirmed reduced English continental control.

The deaths of the Black Prince (1376) and Edward III (1377) deepened political fragility in England.

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🌊 1377: Renewed Operations

When truce terms expired, war resumed quickly, combining pressure in Guyenne with maritime action. England struggled to sustain large-scale garrison and siege commitments.

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🧠 To Remember

• The 1373 chevauchee failed against French attritional strategy.
• Bruges paused the conflict without resolving it.
• War resumed in 1377 amid English transition and weakness.