Battle of Patay

General

The Battle of Patay, 1429 was fought on 18 June 1429 during the Loire campaign following Orleans.
French forces defeated an English field army, further reversing the war's momentum.

Overview

Category	Details
Name of the Battle	Battle of Patay, 1429 / [[Battle of Patay, 1429
Date	18 June 1429
Location	Near Patay, France
Belligerents	France vs England
Commanders	French commanders La Hire, Xaintrailles, Alençon; English commanders Talbot, Scales
Strength (Forces)	Medium-sized field armies
Primary Unit Types	Cavalry, men-at-arms, archers
Outcome	Decisive French victory
Casualties (Estimate)	Heavy English losses and captures
Strategic Importance	Broke English tactical pattern used at Crecy and Agincourt
Notable Features	Rapid French attack before English archers fully deployed
Historical Significance	Consolidated French recovery in 1429

Historical Background

After lifting Orleans, French commanders sought to maintain initiative and destroy isolated English forces in the Loire region.

Course of the Battle

French vanguard located English troops during movement and attacked before defensive stakes and archery positions could be established.

Consequences

English operational cohesion in the region weakened.
French campaign advanced toward Reims and political consolidation.
Momentum shifted durably toward France.

Legacy

Patay is often considered the tactical inverse of earlier English longbow victories.