Page "Joan, Duchess of Brittany" Paragraph 4

When John died in 1345 in the midst of the Breton War of Succession, his wife Joanna of Flanders took arms to protect the rights of her son John V, Duke of Brittany against the party led by Charles and Joan.

Joanna organized resistance and made use of diplomatic means to protect her family and country.

In the siege of Hennebont, she took up arms and, dressed in armour, conducted the defence of the town.

Joanna even led a raid of knights outside the walls that successfully fired and destroyed one of the enemy's rear camps.

After this she became known as " Jeanne la Flamme ".

She even captured Joan's husband Charles.

However Joanna was eventually forced to retreat to England, where she became mentally ill leaving her young son in the care of the English court.

Charles and Joan by this time controlled most of Brittany.