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Jean Poton de Xaintrailles

1390 – 1461

15th-century French noble

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About Jean Poton de Xaintrailles

Lived 1390 – 1461 (aged 70–71). Jean Poton de Xaintrailles was a French military personnel.

Xaintrailles and La Hire depicted in a 15th-century illuminated book.

Jean Poton de Xaintrailles (; c. 1390 – 7 October 1461), a minor noble of Gascon origin, was one of the chief lieutenants of Joan of Arc.

He served as master of the royal stables, as royal bailiff in Berry and as seneschal of Limousin. In 1454 he was appointed a Marshal of France. Jean Poton was a leading figure on the French side in the Hundred Years War.

He fought at the battle of Verneuil in 1424. His participation, along with Joan of Arc, in the battle at Orléans in 1429 led to the end of the Siege of Orléans. Jean Poton fought numerous battles alongside Joan of Arc during the Loire Campaign and retained a lifelong support for her. With La Hire, he even tried, albeit in vain, to rescue Joan after she was captured. Believing Joan was being held captive in Compiègne, Jean Poton captured it, only to learn that the prisoner had already been moved to Rouen.

He served with Joan of Arc at the Siege of Orléans, and the battles of Jargeau, Meung-sur-Loire, Beaugency and Patay. He raised the siege of Compiègne.

In the latter phase of the Hundred Years War he was active in the reconquest of Normandy and the conquest of Guyenne, often with Étienne de Vignolles, better known as La Hire, including the action at Gerbevoy. When the standing army was created in 1445, Xaintrailles was appointed to command one of the twelve companies of the new army.

He died in Bordeaux without heirs and left his estate to the church.

Popular culture Xaintrailles is a minor figure in the "Catherine" novels of Juliette Benzoni.

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Important facts

Born
1390, Gascony
Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Positions held
Grand Squire of France

People in Jean Poton de Xaintrailles's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Jean Poton de Xaintrailles's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Jean Poton de Xaintrailles?

15th-century French noble

When was Jean Poton de Xaintrailles born?

Jean Poton de Xaintrailles was born in 1390 in Gascony.

When did Jean Poton de Xaintrailles die?

Jean Poton de Xaintrailles died on 7 October 1461 in Bordeaux.

What was Jean Poton de Xaintrailles's occupation?

Jean Poton de Xaintrailles was a military personnel.

What nationality was Jean Poton de Xaintrailles?

Jean Poton de Xaintrailles was French.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Jean Poton de Xaintrailles

· Wikidata: Q971967

· DBpedia: Jean Poton de Xaintrailles

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Jean Poton de Xaintrailles. https://biography.guide/jean-poton-de-xaintrailles/

MLA: "Jean Poton de Xaintrailles." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/jean-poton-de-xaintrailles/.

Chicago: "Jean Poton de Xaintrailles." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/jean-poton-de-xaintrailles/.

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