Raoul de Gaucourt

Raoul de Gaucourt, also known as the Sieur de Gaucort or Sire de Gaucourt (–1461), was a French soldier and statesman. He fought at the Battle of Nicopolis in 1396 and the Siege of Harfleur in 1415, and spent 10 years as a prisoner in England. He was described by Juliet Barker in 2005 as "a medieval chivalric hero whom the modern world has forgotten".

Early life and background Born , Gaucourt came from a noble family from Picardy. The family was loyal to the House of Armagnac, and Gaucourt had "strong personal connections" with Charles I, Duke of Orléans, Charles I d'Albret and Marshal Boucicaut. and was knighted on that battlefield at the age of 26.

In 1412 he served as Chamberlain to Charles I, Duke of Orléans. He then served as captain of a number of Armagnac castles. Historian Juliet Barker said that they needed "an experienced and trustworthy knight to take charge of the defences". When Henry's troops laid siege to the town, "de Gaucourt and his men fought back with a courage and determination that won the admiration of the English chaplain". Gaucourt oversaw the repair of defences in the town. Gaucourt refused to surrender. However, the next day the town council offered to surrender on 22 September if the siege had not been broken by then. Gaucourt was unaware of this offer until he met again with Henry, but he and his fellow military commanders in the town (d'Estouteville and Guillaume de Léon) agreed to surrender.

Gaucourt and his troops had held out for 18 days, rather than the 8 that Henry had planned for; "Henry had underestimated the determination and ingenuity of de Gaucourt and his men". On 22 September Gaucourt presented the town's keys to Henry.

Gaucourt and 65 others were taken prisoner. Gaucourt was later released to carry a message to the Dauphin from Henry, challenging him to one-on-one combat to end the war. After doing so, Gaucourt "retreat[ed] to his sickbed", suffering from dysentery.

Later career and death

Following the French loss at the Battle of Agincourt, Gaucourt surrendered himself to Henry in Calais, In January 1417 he carried a secret message from Henry to the French king.

After his final release "he became a major figure in the reconquest of English-held lands in France", This included fighting alongside Joan of Arc, including at the Siege of Orléans (1429).

Gaucourt died in 1461. He was in his late 80s or early 90s.

Legacy He was described by Barker as "a medieval chivalric hero whom the modern world has forgotten", and "one of the chief architects of the final expulsion of the English from France".