Last modified: 2023-11-11 by olivier touzeau
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Banner of arms of Broons - Image by Olivier Touzeau, 21 January 2022
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Broons (2,910 inhabitants in 2020; 3,521 ha) is a commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department in Brittany in northwestern France.
Olivier Touzeau, 21 January 2022
The arms of Broos are inherited from the arms of Bertrand du Guesclin (c. 1320 – 1380), nicknamed "The Eagle of Brittany" or "The Black Dog of Brocéliande", was a Breton knight and an important military commander on the French side during the Hundred Years' War. From 1370 to his death, he was Constable of France for King Charles V.
Bertrand du Guesclin was born in Broons near Dinan, in Brittany, first-born son of Robert du Guesclin and Jeanne de Malmaines. His family was of minor Breton nobility, the seigneurs of Broons.
After fighting a duel with Sir Thomas Canterbury at the successful defense of the city of Rennes against an English siege in 1356–57, du Guesclin was awarded a pension by the future king Charles V in December 1357. Appointed captain of Pontorson, he remained in the service of the French royal house of Valois. He fought in many battles (1359–63), being twice taken prisoner, and won a major victory at Cocherel in May 1364, defeating the troops of Charles II the Bad, king of Navarre, and taking prisoner Jean de Grailly, captal de Buch, an ally of the English. He suffered a severe loss at Auray in September 1364, being taken prisoner after Charles, duc de Blois, whom he was supporting in the War of the Breton Succession, was killed. He was ransomed for 40,000 gold francs. In 1366 and in 1369 du Guesclin led the compagnies (bands of mercenaries) into Spain to aid Henry of Trastámara, natural half brother of Peter I the Cruel, king of Castile, in his attempt to overthrow Peter. In 1370 Charles V recalled him from Spain to fight the English at Limoges. By 1373 he had given the French several major victories. He spent his remaining years on smaller expeditions against scattered English forces and mercenary bands and died besieging an enemy fortress.
The arms of Duguesclin are blazoned Argent a double-headed eagle displayed Sable beaked and armed Gules, overall a bendlet Gules. A banner of these arms, which is also the banner of arms of Broons (source: see also Drapeaux de Bretagne website), can be seen in front of the city hall of Dinan.
Olivier Touzeau, 21 January 2022