Earl of Derby

Also known as: my Lord of Derby · Family: England · Role: earl · First appears: Book 1, Chapter 23

In Book 1, Chapter 32, King Edward released Sir Hervé de Léon for a small ransom and a message to King Philip, saying he did so at the Earl of Derby’s request. Soon afterwards, King Edward appointed his cousin Derby leader of an expedition to Gascony, with Earl of Pembroke, Earl of Oxford, Lord Stafford, Sir Walter Manny, Sir Frank van Halle and others under his command. Derby arrived at Bayonne on 6 June 1344, then went on to Bordeaux.

At Bergerac, Derby’s forces stormed the bridge and suburbs; the next morning, after Earl of Pembroke and Earl of Oxford brought him the townspeople’s request for mercy, he agreed to receive them safely. They opened the gates and swore homage and fealty to him for the King of England. In 1344, Derby and his company also relieved Auberoche, defeating the French army with Earl of Oxford, Sir Walter Manny, Sir Richard Hastings, Sir Stephen Tombey and Lord Ferrers; afterward, he returned toward Bordeaux with prisoners.

In 1345, Derby’s forces captured Rochemilon, where he pardoned those who had taken refuge in the church, and he installed Richard Willes and Robert Scot as captains of its new garrison. At Monsegur he accepted a month-long truce on terms that restricted repairs to the town’s fortifications and allowed his soldiers to buy provisions. Aiguillon surrendered to him on condition that its people’s lives and fortunes be spared; he ordered the place re-victualled and repaired, and gave its command to Sir John de Gombry. In La Réole, he besieged the castle and agreed with Agos de Bans that its defenders could leave with their arms and horses. He also assigned commands and garrisons to men including Thomas Lancaster, Sir Alexander de Chaumont and Sir Thomas Cook.