Jacques de Lalaing

Jacques de Lalaing (1421–1453), perhaps the most renowned knight of Burgundy in the 15th century, was reportedly one of the best medieval tournament fighters of all time.

[1] Throughout his life, Jacques was entrusted by the Duke of Burgundy to serve in delegations to the King of France and the Pope, as well as with the suppression of the Revolt of Ghent in 1453.

Jacques had three brothers: John who was provost of Saint-Lambert's Cathedral in Liege, Philippe who was a godson of Philip the Good, and Antoine who was killed by the Swiss while fighting for the Duke of Burgundy Charles the Bold.

[3] On 22 November 1443 he accompanied Philip the Good's forces in a surprise assault on the city of Luxembourg where he "accomplished many magnificent feats of arms with both the lance and the sword.

Jacques' first feat of arms was against an Italian knight named Jean de Boniface from the court of King Alfonso V of Aragon.

[3] Jacques de Lalaing travelled to Stirling Castle, Scotland, for a tournament held on Shrove Tuesday 1449.

But shortly before his departure to return home, Jacques was challenged by an English squire named Thomas Que to fight in Burgundy.

This combat took place later in 1449 in Bruges, Flanders with the Duke of Burgundy as referee, at a tournament held to celebrate the marriage of James II of Scotland and Mary of Guelders.

[4] While initially Thomas' poleaxe was disqualified due to its being oversized and oversharp, he pleaded so persistently that Jacques allowed its use.

Later, on that same day, Jacques announced his intention to raise a pavilion and have a pas d'armes (passage of arms).

In keeping with this theme, Jacques fought in a white surcoat decorated with a pattern of blue tears.

In March, Sir Jean de Boniface who Jacques had beaten previously, returned to challenge him.

As the pas d'armes ended, Jacques remained undefeated, winning great renown.

[3] On his pilgrimage to Rome in 1450, Jacques, like a medieval chivalrous knight of old, "like another Lancelot", stayed at Chalons on the Marne and crossed lances with anyone who would fight him on the road.

[9] Throughout his life, Jacques displayed all the main elements of what was considered to be the perfect medieval chivalrous knight.

His military prowess was unmatched, he came from a respected and noble family, at a young age his frank bearing was noticeable, throughout his life he showed great loyalty to his lord the Duke of Burgundy, as a young man he was known to be a favorite of the ladies at court, his largesse was evident after his victories, and his religious piety was shown by such actions as his pilgrimage to Rome in 1450.

While minor details differ, it appears that he was killed by cannon fire from defenders of Poucques Castle.

[10] Jacques is therefore a transitional character, the last great member of a chivalrous era destroyed by an element of changing modern times.

[11] Philip the Good was so furious at the death of his favorite knight Jacques that when the Poucques Castle was taken he had all those captured in it hanged, priests, lepers and children excepted.