Sir John de Hainault

Also known as: Lord of Beaumont / Sir John of Hainault · Family: Hainault · Role: knight and brother of William · First appears: Book 1, Chapter 5

In Book 1, Chapter 5, Sir John de Hainault, brother of William, Earl of Hainault, promised to risk his life and raise an armed force to restore Queen Isabella to her rank in England. She accepted his offer and promised to put the kingdom under his management. He conducted her to Valenciennes, then recruited companions for the expedition despite his brother’s and council’s objections. Their aid helped Isabella recover her kingdom; afterward, she paid his companions’ expenses and compensated them for horses they left behind. An affray between Hainaulters and English archers was later said to be revenge for deaths attributed to John’s advice.

After taking responsibility for his followers’ horse costs, John and his company departed for the Continent. In Book 1, Chapter 21, he led knights including Lord Henry of Flanders and the Lords of Fauquemont, Bergues, Vaudresen, and Lens in attacks around Hennecourt and Guise. Sir Herman was killed at Hennecourt, and John burned Guise and destroyed its mills despite Lady Jane, his daughter, pleading for her husband Lewis, Earl of Blois’s lands. He also pledged himself for Lord of Faguinelles’s ransom and obtained the return of his steed through his entreaties.

In 1326, King Edward granted John an hereditary annuity of four hundred marks, but John departed England after receiving permission to leave. The next year, at Edward’s request, he arrived at York with his company to join the king’s expedition. Later, after renouncing his agreements with England, he was retained by King Philip of France at a salary and granted greater revenue. At the Somme, his light-horsemen raided the English rear; during the battle, he led the French king away by force. Before the king left Amiens after Crécy, John also persuaded him to spare Sir Godémar du Fay.