Tard-Venus

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Tard-Venus (French, "latecomers") were

medieval groups of routiers (mercentaries or bandits) that ravaged Europe in the later years of the reign of King John II of France.[1]

History

When the

In Champagne, they captured the castle of Joinville, seizing a considerable amount of booty for ransom. They roamed and looted the Champagne region and devastated the bishoprics of Langres, Toul and Verdun, and then penetrated Burgundy supported by some Burgundian knights and squires.

After settling around Besançon, Dijon and Beaune, they took and plundered

and ravaged the region.

Battle of Brigniais

In all there may have been 15,000 men in these groups.[citation needed] The most powerful captains included:

In mid-Lent all these groups turned towards the rich

Macon, Lyon and Forez on the way. They occupied the priory of Estivareilles
.

After their victory, the bands turned to looting the district.

cardinals
.

On 3 June 1362, this army was defeated by 400

Montpensier. Learning of that defeat the other bands fled to the fortress of Pont-Saint-Esprit, where they found immense wealth and occupied a strategic crossroads. At the news of the capture of Pont-Saint-Esprit, many bands in Champagne moved into the Rhone valley.[3]

With starvation beginning to take in Avignon, Pope Innocent VI preached a crusade against the robbers, but failing to pay these Crusaders many returned home, but some joined the ranks of the bandits.

The complete failure of the crusade forced Innocent VI to give to French King John II, 60,000 gold florins to pay off the brigands and take them to Italy. Key leaders of the band enlist to serve

Bernabo Visconti
, lords of Milan.

Seguin Badefol holding the city of

figs
.

References

  1. ^ Marie-Nicolas Bouillet et Alexis Chassang (dir.), « Tard-Venus » dans Dictionnaire universel d’histoire et de géographie, 1878.
  2. ^ Les Chroniques de Jehan Froissart.
  3. ^ Également écrit Jean de Grôlé ou Jean de Groslée